Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-03-11
JAPAN'S P0ETESS
LAUREATE DYING.


cidenti why. in Japan the oppressed
sex runs nearly everything. particular.
iy the Office OF poet laureate. This Dos,
In Japan is not the mcarer offlce with n
tun OF wine ana bcggariy salary at.
tached that IL Ia in England. but a
courtly position with a title and much
honor and gold nppertninIng thereto.
The prcsen; laureate IN the crowned
roctcsy seislo." Every year the poet.
css II. in accordance with the rules OF
her office. expected to contribute a poem
to he read at the New Years celebra.
ton held by the Emperor.
Now word rcaohcn Nine. selsko's
American oompatfiota that she II lyln,.
very III In her palace In Jcddo For %
years she has never failed 10 present
the annual poem which has been one o.,
the features Of the great Imperial New
Years festivals. The mikado. tho
princes OF the blood and all tho inlnis-
ters there listen In admiration To IN,
reading.
The 18th OF January is the mos, inter.
csting day OF this festival. II IL n sort
OF poctical tournament In which oven
the poorest peasant. u lowered with
genius. may take part. Competitive
poems must be sent 10 Nine. Scisko She
selects the best Of these for reading be.
fore the emperor and empress, who 80.
lcct the four best FOR prizes.
The tournament was opened last year
with cantata the words Of which were
by the mikado himself. who IL n punt OF
Mine. Ssisko The emperor Displayed
more nervousness over the presentation
~ this cnniata than over many an NJ.
fair VI state In which the nation nR.
urcd. FOR the most nerciieaa " the most
polite critics In the world are the Jan.
ancac. and when II comes 10 poetry not
even royal rank IL any protection against
their wit. Although his serene hiahnoss
had carefully coached each Of the per.
formern. he was n little nervous icat
stage fright. honrseness or some other
untownrd circumstance should mar his
beautiful verses and ne prccautian no
limited that the hcadyman would be be-
hind the scenes with his nx and block
TO attend tn any stumblurs.
Al went on beautifully. however.
Nine. sciako said II was very nice
poem for an amateur. and all went mer-
rily M u spring millinery opening. Tho
emperor was 80 tlckicd NJ his success
that he declared his intention of going
.ffort-a grand opera perhnpa. II Mime.
seiHko would kindly lend her assist.
nncc. Nine. Sclsko Eraciously assentcd,
and the mikado was confident that ore
he was through he would rival the ~.
forts N the western barbarian. Wagner.
Now that the great lhurcatcas II M. tho
mlkado II In despair. She II "a years
old. and not only IL she called the tonth
muse Of Jcddo hut she II allied with
the noblcst families ~ the empire.
She II the sister ~ the Baron snmmo.
Mira, the great master 81 ceremonies OF
the Imperial palace. The baron IN very
proud ~ his gifted relative and IL well
known himself for his fidelity TO tho
manners ana customs 81 old Japan.
M much ~ that the mlkndo. who IL
rather modern In hir tastes and has but
fow prcjudlocr. often CHATS him merc,.
lennly ana even enjoys the fun " scan.
daiizing him.
This illustrious lady was In her time
perfect beauty OF the smallest tyne.
and. though very old now. she IL atm
charming TO look at She has the most
afistocfutic appearance. dresses hcnutl.
fully and makes point ~ keeping 10
the splendid japanese costume of olden
times She wears the three white rilk
petllconir. one above the other. the pur-
pie rllk or gauze dress with wide.
scarlet border. The whole costume IL
nrtisiicaliy embroidered with many col.
orcd silks and represents tiny land
nehpcr, houses, trevs and fruits.
The sleeves are equally covered with
flowers and birds. The hair IN thrown
back ana gathered On the nnpo of tho
neck In a knot tied with bow Of col
orod paper, and. detail which has its
interest for the ladies who wish to
adopt the truly elegant Japanese fancy
dfcnA-thni Of the grand prlnccascu Of
old-sho does not wear the large sash
which M To now was thought an indis-
prnsahlc part ~ the costume. on the
contrary. the thick and wide sash IL
not distlnguc. but almost corresponds to
the apron OF our bourgcolses.