The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-30
A JAPANESE DANCE.


a savannah man TesluluS at hope.
Kobe, Japan May 4.-Once a year dur
ing the month Of April, Japanese resi-
dents and visitors have the opportunity
of witnessing the prettiest of Japanese
dances viz, the Cherry Blossom" dance.
1t is so called by foreigners, because 1t
is always given just at the cherry bloss-
ON season, and also because these flowers
are introduced in one of the dances The
Japanese name for it, however, is Miya-
kocdori or Capital dance, indicating
thereby that they too think it is the fin
est dance. Unlike other Dances this one
rs held in a theater and controlled and
managed by p,iests of the temple for the
benefit of the temple. The Instructors in
the dance are retired geisha, old women
no longer fit for service, who earn their
living by training children to dance and
sing.
Like in the old English theaters, the
choice seats are in the balcony, for which
the price of admission is 40 sen. Whilst
down in the Fit amongst the masses, 1t
is only 20 sen. In order to see both, from
near and afar, 1 tried both places, sitting
on the floor amongst tie Jeps in posi-
ton corresponding to our orchestra first
row front. There are no seats on the
main floor, and no space wasted for
aisles. Simply one. Large floor inclining
slightly, covered with red blankets
spread thereon. In tee balcony benches
are provided for foreigners.
On approaching the tn alter site one is
reminded of going 10 a circus on account
of the numerous stands with sweets, etc,
thereon in place of peanuts, the side
shows adjo ming, and the many colored
lanterns ard torches.
There the milarity ceases for upon
ffrrHr ft1p ftnr ffnI -lau
invited to remove your shoes and have
them checked, same as you would check
your coat or umbrella at home. This you
must do, unless you can secure a pair of
cloth slippers to tie over your shoes,
and so avoid soiling or scratching the
pl shed floor
The dancing commences at G o'clock,
and takes about forty minutes, being re-
peated every hour till midnight. For foot
lights large tallow candles are used,
which a man comes around and trims be-
tween each dance
One thing peculiar about Jaranese
dances and theaters is that you are sup
posed to see only the dancers or actors
and are not supposed to see the at
tendants supers or assistants who walk
about on the stage at liberty during tire
performance, shift scenery, trim candles,
etc.
The orchestra. we may call il, consists
I
Mike similar to a drum. The Samiseu
girls are on one side of the theater on a
raised Platform, whilst the Mike girls are
opposite similarly placed.
| The dancing girls. thirtytwo in num-
| Der, usually, though improperly called
Geisha, make their entrance from the rear
! of the hall, pass along the pla form in
1 front of the Samiseu players on 10 the
! stage.
All movements are in unison, whilst
| from beginning 10 end the faces are devoid
J of expressions.
of foreigner is mostly attracted. for in
| comparison this is far ahead of the other
| things connected with the theater, and
considering the crude methods employed
it is worthy of the most favorable COM
ment.
given in front of the services. which, ar
ranged in line across the stage, serve as
q drop curtain. The girls then exit to the
side of the stage proper and not where
they made their entrance.
Upon a signal all the screens are drawn
up, disclosing the interior ora tea house,
with sixteen of the girls therein. Thsse
come down upon the stage floor by
pair of stairs and give q dance that is
different from the first, though to our I'M
educated eye it is but continuation of it.
As soon as the Geisha girls come down
.
before, we are not supposed to see, CO. G
on and slide the flooring and walls Of II
| house into the wings to prepare the
next scene.
The manipulation of the succe ding
scenes is very difficult 10 describe ard yet
! are the prettiest features of the entertain
ment. The best way to describe il s 10 say
/ that the scenery at The back falls fat
upon the floor and forms the ground
work of a beautiful garden in the midst of
which flowers spring up and lanterns are
/ seen brilliantly Illuminating the scene The
! back ground shows an old castle. This
scene Is ended by curtain being drawn
! from the base of a statue by means of in
7 visible wires, which shuts off the whole
Stage.
This scene symbolizes spring. which is
| now followed by summer represented by
fans which the Geisha twirls with hear
4 deft fingers whilst dancing.
The dropping of the curtains discloses
| an autumn scene, symboized by the red
maple leaves. No stage trees in this, but
| the real article. 1t is a woodland scene
| with mountains in the rear The moon Is
| rising in the distance, and during the
dance is seen slowly gliding upwards in a
most natural manner.
The winter score follows. represented by
a landscape covered with snow whilst
cedars furnish the borders and trimmings
! of the stage.
1
| scene the dancing continues, the two sets
| Geisha alternating In the performance.
| The last and prettiest scene Is the one
| from which the name OF the dance is
| taken, end it is truly meritorious ,of the
| praise given 1t.
The scenery rises as If It were hinged
at the top. and drawn by cords from the
bottom. forming a ceiling from which are
| suspended hundreds OF burning can
dies arranged so as to give the
| appearance of mass of light
| Cherry trees i'm full bloom are moved in
! from the side whilst over the heads of the
| Samiseu and Miko girls large boughs of
| cherry blossoms are lowered. The dancers
have branches of cherry blossoms in their
| hands and also in their hair whilst the
whole looked like vision from fairyland.
j. A. Ryttenberg, Kobe. Japan.
We have a nice line of cider in bottles,
| pure and genuine, from the celebrated
| esta blishment of Mott & Co., of New