The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-05-22


of composition ever since. Each jan
uary the Emperor selects a subject
and the republic is requested to send
in poems on this theme. Thousands
of responses are received and the
Bureau of Poetry is rushed for months
in the work of passing upon them all.
Finally the committee selects what
are considered the six best poems and
these are read in Court and pub
Used in all the papers. OF course this
honor is regarded very highly by the
successful competitors. This year
the subject was: 1.-The Pine Tree Be-
side the Shrine" The Emperor's con-
tribution was: THE ever green pine
tree stands beside the shrine which
guards the Empire immovable."
Among the six successful contribu-
tors there was only one woman, who
wrote: I'm the garden fronting the
shrine, the cranes play under the
pine-tree foliage" While the trans
lation destroys the meter, an under
standing of the idea may be OBJ
tanned.
The present Court Poet is seventy
years old, and it is said that he is
soon to retire from office on account
of the arduous duties attached to it.
There is a story which shows that
although the Mikado may be SUI
preme in ruling the japanese nation,
the Court Poet is the boss of his
department. Years ago when the En-
peror and his poetical adviser were
no do q fri m
gether from Kioto to Toxic. They
travelled along for several days in
sight of Fujiyama, the Sacred Noun
tain. OF course the view inspired the
Emperor to dash off a number Of eff
fusions. In trying to determine which
of the lot was the best a dispute
arose, and the discussion became SO
heated that the Court Poet resigned
on the spot. However, his august
master declined to release him, and
in the overtures which followed it
was agreed that in future His Ma
jesty should accept the rulings of his
Minister of MUSES. without question.
And even to this day the Court Poet
of Japan is not a figurehead.
Aside from his love of poetry, the
Emperor has absolutely no amuse-
ments. When a young man he was
quite skillful in the practice of arch
cry and for a time spent a portion
of each day in drilling company of
troops. The fact that he is suscepti-
BILE to sea sickness is said to be the
reason why he does not have an I'm
perial yacht. Whenever it becomes
necessary for him to journey on the
water he travels in a steamer charter
ed for the occasion, or utilities one of
the battleships of the japanese navy.
His Majesty has a number
Of country palaces and game pre-
serves, he rarely or never visits them,
preferring to remain at the capital of
mis- Empire.
The Empress of Japan is a noble |
and inspiring woman. Her name is
aaruko, and she is the daughter of |
4 noble of the highest rank. She is
.wo years older than the Mikado. The
sacredness of the Imperial personages
vas shown by an incident which oc-
,urred when it was determined that |
he court ladies should adopt Europ
Oil hiOoo NJ llllo lliiiC SiCal
ulty was experienced in getting
clothes to fit Her Imperial Majesty.
The profane hands of a dressmaker
ould not be allowed to touch the per-
ION of the Empress, so a court lady
lad to pose as a model until the gar
nents were gradually made to fit.
The Empress also has poetic incli-
lations, and is herself the author of
everal volumes of verse. One of the
eatures of all state occasions is the
inging of song by the school chill
ren which was composed for them
" Her Majesty. During the rendi-
ion of this song the children stand
With their hands bowed as if in pray
r. The Empress takes a great deal
f interest in all school work, and has
n her private apartments a large col
ection of the best specimens of poetry,
ainting and composition done by the
upils of the Empire.
A story is told which reveals the
ome years ago when the castle in
'okio was burned the Emperor and
Empress were forced to take temper
ry quarters in nearby house which
vas old and rather out of repair. AL
hough the proportions of the place
we're ample it was altogether lacking
n the luxuries of the palace. A rep
sentative of the people expressed to
he Empress the grief which her sub
ects felt because she was denied her
sual conveniences. She arose to the
ccasion by writing a graceful little
Dem in which she said that it mat
cred littles how she was situated so
ing as she was sure of a home in
he hearts of her people.
Another story illustrates Her Ma
esty's consideration for the happiness
f children. One of the little princes
rs once conceived the unreasonable
lea of wanting to give cherry
lesson party in December. Although
pril is the earliest that these trees
lay be expected to put forth their
elicate flowers, skilled artisans were
allied in and after much labor Gre
ted the desired effect by pinning to
lie trees myriads of pink and white
lessons made of tissue paper. Thus
lie whim of the eccentric little
rincess was gratified.
FAKE JAP SAILOR AND ALMY. II
Almy's the wise one, or so say the