The San Francisco call., 1904-04-10

pressed IL even under the most trying
circumstances, but not even BushidO
can wholly turn a warm hearted hu-
man being into a stone, and after all
the japanese are human. with blood
that is red and hearts that leap just
the same as some rural demOnstrative
peoples We know. Ii would not be
strange if the average man who had
observed them here in Toxic during the
last two months should begin 10 doubt
that
BUSHIDO'S GRIP.
There has been so much repression
of The natural feelings, such a shutting
down Of the safety valves Of JOY and
sorrow. as at times to have been un-
canny. one must have shadOwed
BVshido wei to grasp the full signifi-
cahce Of these last few weeks. Bush
ido-it means literally military knight
ways-was the teaching of the Samurai
the precepts of the chivally that lost
its commanding grip on japan hardly
a generation ago. Bushido was the
incarnation Of loyalty and the soul Of
honor. The ten million Samurai. who
followed its instructicn, impressed their
ways upon the whole people. It was a
force that continued after the institu-
ton it ruled was dead Bushido to-day
is q vital factor in japanese life, and
although its once mastering influence
may have begun TO wane il is stiIl suf-
ficient explanation of the astonishing
emotional repressions OF the last two
months. For pOliteness was and is a
sine qua non Of gentleness, and TO show
erief. or pain, or any unpleasant emo
ti0n. might awaken similar unhappy
feelings in the breast Of the observer,
and that would be not only unfOrtun-
ate but most impoite 1t was that
conception Of politeness which made
man announce the death of his dearest
relation or friend with bright eyes and
smile on his face.
1t is that power and habit Of con-
cealing the real feelings" said a Jap
anese TO me yesterday, which has
made other people fail TO understand
US Even their diplomatists have fail
ed TO understand us. ] think If il had
not been SO we should not now be al
war with Russia"
PATRIOTIC DRAMA.
My friend had taken me TO a theater
to see the new war play, and it was
a remark Of mine about the acting
which provoked his comment The
play itself was q curious hodge -podge,
without plot. all beginning and appar-
entity no end. il may be going yet, for
all ] know ] sat through five hours
Of Il and there was not even the be-
ginning Of development Of a plot and
no sign Of approaching termination.
But there We're some things Of extra
ordinary interest about il and many
worth seeing.
II was the frank revelation Of human
emotion on the part Of the actors
in their portrayal Of character chosen
from the common walks Of life that
struck me most forcibly. There were
open and unreserved tears. and much
lanentation because sons. husbands
fathers were called to the colors and
going away TO war. Even men sobbed.
Ny friend sat with body bent forward
and head bowed in his hands, watch
ing intently. as I supposed, the strik-
ing display Of feeling. 1t annoyed me-
] was inclined TO think it A grotesque
parody. Tt was not Bushido at ALL
4 don't believe it at all" I said to
him. rs It true. all that weeping?"
He did not reply, and / looked down
and saw the big tears falling unchecked
from his eyes. 1t was true, then, after
al. The actors were faithfully pre-
senting TO the public a phase Of Jap
anese life that the persons they repre-
sented would never have revealed.
PLOT OF THE PLAY.
II was a simple scene. The stage
setting represented a room in the home
Of 4 5inrildsba man. He was a reserv-
ist soldier, and the mobilization order
u -.
barracks at S O'Clock that evening. His
little son was playing in the yard. wav-
ing a flag and shouting "Bonzai." AS
the soldier brushed up his uniform
and prepared TO put it on he talked