Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-06-10

big toe and the others. Most coolies
cannot afford such extravaganza as
shoes, so they go bare-footed.
Japan is not land of perpetual
sunshine, as in some parts of it we
encountered nearly two feet of snow,
this being where we attempted to go
by rickShawS to Lake Hakone, in the
interior Although we had three
coolies to each rickshaw, one pulling
and two showing, the snow became so
deep we had to abandon that means
OF transportation and go on horse
back. The limbs of most of the COO
lies were entirely bare and they wore
only straw sandals, SO it might be
said they were walking bare-footed
on the snow. Although it was so
cold as to make it uncomfortable rid
ing, even with an overcoat. mittens
and heavy clothing on, these coolies
did not apparently mind at all. They
tell story of one of the tourists ask
ing cOolie how it was that he could
stand such cold weather without COW
ering his limbs. The coolie in turn
said, How do you stand the cold
on your face that is not covered?'
Yes. but that has never been COW
cred, but always left that way, even
during cold weather." was the reply.
The coolie then answered, "Me all
face. There is a lesson in this; that
is. that hardships are only relative,
and a great many impossibilities are
such only because ws believe them to
be inSurmOuntablc.
The rickshaw men are very active
and sturdy. They will trot along at
rate of six miles an hour without
apparent fatigue. However they
are short-lived and it is claimed that
ten years is the average length Of
time of service of the coolie as a rick
shaw man.
We had the pleasure of witnessing
an amateur theatrical performance.
In the Japanese theater things are
little different than in ours. For
instance, they sit on the floor and
little squares are partitioned off in
the parquet. However, for our ben
eft seats had been provided. The
opera house was decorated with
lanterns showing the japanese and
American flags together, with the
word Welcome" The advertise
ments were not on the curtain.
They were on the ceiling and in ex-
ecution compared very favorably
with those in our country. The
actors dressing rooms we're at the
front of the house-not behind the
stage-and in order to get where
the spotlight would shine on them
they walked directly through the
entire audience, raised passageway
having been provided for that pur-
pose. The orchestra consisted of
three persons. They were not down
in front but were in the wings, or
rather that portion of the stage i'm
mediately in front of where the
boxes are in our 'theaters. One of
them had pair of slap-sticks which
he frequently used; another musician
was on the stage-level proper. but
behind lattice-work and was play
ing what is called q samisen, q Japan
ese instrument. Up above was the
other musician who not only played
on the instrument, but in addition
sang all the time, no matter whether
the actors were speaking their lines
or not. The play was q tragedy.
The stage-hands were in evidence
and at one time during the perform.
ance. when the hero had to sit down,
the stage-hand brought out q chair
for him and as soon as he got through
with it. he came out and carried it of
the stage again. A little later on
whenit came time for the duel scene,
Mr.. Stage-hand came out carrying
a little cloth and proceeded to hide
himself behind one of the stage
trees; that is. say. he attempted to
hide himself but he was In full view
of the audience. After the hero had
killed his adversary by cutting his
head off, supposedly, the stage-hand
rushed out in the spotlight to throw
the little red cloth over the body.
There was no such thing as a drop
curtain, but instead when they
wanted to shut of the stage. q fellow
got y hold Of one end of the curtain
and walked across the stage with it.
1t accomplished the purpose just as
well as though it was an expensive
one. Although they might not be
up-tO-date In other ways, they had
revolving scenery, although, of
course, it woulc not equal the Hippo
drome in New York. but they had
scenery mounted on rollers, on one
side of which is painted forest
scene and on the other side a sea-
shore view. When they wanted to
change the scenery stage hands would
take hold Of each end and run it
around. This performance was very
interesting to u.s. Moving-picture
shows are very numerous and seem
to have quite a hold on the people.
The circus was no Stranppr tn the