The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-28


in the theater. The people sit on the
floor as they do in their homes and at
public meetings. One of the side aisles
is raised to the level of the stage and
the actors use it for entrance and exit.
In this connection. word should be
said in regard to the geisha girls who
have furnished such ample material for
the artist and the decorator. They
are selected for their beauty and
trained in what is called a dance, altho
1t differs so much from the American
dance as scarcely to be describable by
that term. 1t is rather a series of
graceful poses in which gay costumes,
dainty fans, flags, scarfs and sometimes
parasols play part. The faces of the
dancers are expressionless and there is
no exposure of the limbs. The geisha
girls are often called in. to entertain
guests at private dinner, the PERFORM
ance being before, not after the meal.
Our first introduction to this national
amusement was at the Maple club dim
ner given at Toxic by society COM
posed of japanese men who had studied
in the United States. The name of the
society is a Japanese phrase which
means the "Friends of America The
Maple club is the most famous restaur-
ant in Japan, and the geisha girls en-
ployed there stand at the head of their
profession. During the dancing there is
music on stringed instruments, which
resemble the banjo in tone, and some
times singing. At the Maple club the
geisha girls displayed American and
japanese flags. We saw the dancing
again at an elaborate dinner given by
Mr.. Fukuzawa, editor Of the Fuji
Shimpo. Here also the flags of both
nations were used.
Friendly to America,
In what words can I adequately de-
scribe the hospitality of the Japanesef
I have read, and even heard, that
among the more ignorant classes there
is decided antiforeign feeling, and
it is not unnatural that those who re-
fuse to reconcile themselves to ia
pan s new attitude should blame the
foreigner for the change, but we did
not encounter this sentiment any
where. Never in our own country
have we been the recipients of moro
constant kindness or more considerate
attention. From Marquis Ito down
thru all the ranks of official life We
found everyone friendly to America,
and to us as representatives, OF Amer1'
ca. At the dinner given by Minister
Griscom there were present, besides
Marquis Ito, the leader Of the liberal
party, Count Okuma, the leader of the
progressive party (the opposition par
ty) and number of other prominent
Japanese politicians. 49,
At the dinner given by Consul-Gen-
eral Miller at Yokohama Governor Sufu
and Mayor Ichihara were present. The
state and city officials wherever we
have been have done everything posi-
BILE to make our stay pleasant. The
college and school authorities have
opened their institutions to us and
many without official position have in
unmistakable ways shown themselves
friendly. We will carry away with us
a number Of handsome presents be-
slowed by municipalities, colleges, So
cieties and individuals
Feudal Lord a Politician.
i We were entertained by Count Oku.
ma soon after, our arrival and met
there, among others, Mr.. Kato, of the
state department, and President Hato-
wanna, of the Waseda university, and
their wives. The count IS house is half
European and half japanese, and his
garden is celebrated for its beauty.
! At Viscount Kano's we saw a delight
full bit of home life. He is one of
the few daimios, or feudal lords, who
has become conspicuous in the politics
of Japan, and we soon discovered the
secret of his success. He has devoted
himself to the interests of agriculture
and spent his time in an earnest and
Intelligent effort to improve the con-
dition of the rural population. he is
known as s'The Farmers Friend His
house is at the top of beautifully ter
raced hill, which was once a part of his
feudal estate, He and his wife and
six children met us at the bottom of the
hill on our arrival and escorted us to
the bottom on our departure, The
children assisted in serving the dinner
and afterward sang for us the Amerl-
can national air as well as their own
national hymn.
At the Yamashita Home.
r In the country, fifteen miles from
Kogoshima, was a guest at the home
of Mr.. Yamashita, the father of the
Young man who, when student In
, America, made his home. with us for
, more than five years. Mr.. Yamashita
was of the samurai class and since the
, abolition of feudalism has been engaged
in farming. He had invited his rela,
, tives and also the postmaster and the
principal of the district school to the
noon meal. He could not have been
more thoughtful of my comfort or more
. kindly in his manner.
| The little country school which stood
near by turned out to bid us welcome.
The children were massed at bridge
over which large flags of the tyo. ma
! tions floated from bamboo poles. E.as
child also held flag, the japanese and
American flags alternating. As young
Yamashita and rode between the lines
they waved their flags and shouted
"Banzai.
And so itswas at other schools. Older
people may eiplomatic and feign
good viii, bu1 lildren speak from their
hearts. There is no nlistaking their
: meaning, and in my memory the echo
of the voices of the children mingling
with the assurances of the men and
women convinces me that Japan enter.
tains nothing but good will toward
/ our nation. Steam has narrowed the
Pacific and made us neighbors; Let
Justice keep friends