Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-04
LOCAL JAPANESE
HONOR BIRTHDAY
MIKAD0'S ANNIVERSARY is
CELEBRATED
Emperor's Edlot Advises His Subjects
to Forget the War with Russia
and Resume Pursuits
Of Peace

With the singing of their national
hymn, the playing Of the games dear
to the hearts of every son and daugh-
te~ of the land of the Rising sun and
with ringing cheers for the Stars and
Stripes of their adopted country, 5000
natives of Japan assembled at Agricul-
tural mark Yesterday afternoon In cele-
bration of the fifty-fifth anniversary Of
the birth of the emperor of Japan.
The mikado's birthday always calls
forth greater reverence and respect
from the subjects of his empire than
any other feast day of the innumerable
ones of the Japanese calendar, and the
celebration OF the notable event Is al
ways observed In a quiet way and with
more of a sacred service than noise.
1t is the response Of the soul of the
samurai to the call of his descendants.
1t is the same feeling that caused the
little yellow men to fight as they did in
the recent war with Russia; 1t Is the
worship of their ancestors who fought
and died for the emperors which calls
out the Japanese to reverence the an
niversary of the mikado.
There were many Americans among
the audience at Agricultural park yes
terday and the display of daylight fire.
works was magnificent.
The day started with the rendition of
a number of Japanese and American
airs by a band. Following the music
Chairman M. Takekawa, a Japanese
banker of Los Angeles, addressed the
subjects of the mikado. The Japanese
national anthem was then sung, fol-
lowed by the reading of the imperial
edict by DR.. T. 17ishikata.
The edict was delightful to hear, and
the emperor sent the word broadcast to
his people to forget the war and settle
down to industry peace and, above all,
education for the advancement of his
people.
The literary program of the day was
concluded by the singing of the Jap
anese national air, which was ably
handled by the Japanese, who later att
tempted to sing america" but with
varying success.
Japanese fencing and the far-famed
tricks of the jiu jitsu always interest
the American and fairly infatuate the
Japanese, for 1t Is the only sport of his
native land which receives recognition
in this country
Sword fencing is a relic of the train
ing of the Samurai warrior when the
soldiers fought with great sword
which he clutched with it's long handle
with both hands and welded in long
slicing cuts in attempting to crash
through some slit in his enemy's armor.
Local japanese practice the art, using
heavy bamboo swords made from bound
bamboo canes. A blow from one would
kin a man, but the fencers are always
heavily arTnored, and the vital spots ol
their body, where the score counts, pro
tected ztith huge pads. The exhibition
is pretty and the .fencers are as quicl
as tigers.
One OF the chief features, of the sport!
yesterday was lantern race. The rac-
is run with the contestants holding Ian
terms in, their hands. The man VIII,
finished first with the candles in hi
lanterns lighted was awarded the prize
Following was the program:
PART 1.
Opening address ................ Chairman
japanese national anthem. ...Audienc'
Reading of the Imperial Edict.........
....e.........-..... .Dr. L. NlshlkatS
Three cheers for Japan and America.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Audience
Address Gapanese). ....... Rev. A. Komurt
Address. -. DR.. F. Bovard, Pres. u. S. c
American national anthem. ..... Audience
PART II.
Fencing, flag race, three legs race
wrestling, 400 yards run, spoon race, G0
ward RIM fire wOrks lantern race. OBJ