Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-06
ADMIRAL YASH|R0
IS HOST TO 800
Officers of Japanese Cruiser En-
tertain Mayor and Guests
Aboard Flagship

Rear Admiral Yashiro and the other
men and officers on board the Japanese
cruisers Arama and Kasagi played
hosts yesterday afternoon aboard the
flagship Asama. Programs printed in
English announced the affair as an
"At Home" The hospitality shown the
500 guests was as a compliment in re-
turn for the entertainment that has
been rendered the admiral, officers and
men during the past week.
The entertainment began at o'clock,
and when the visitors left the ship at
sundown the band played "The Star
Spangled Banner" to the lowering
of colors, while the sons of Nippon
saluted.
The cruisers were gayly decorated.
There were long strings of electrical V
lighted Japanese lanterns, festoons Of
artificial flowers and plants that were
remarkable specimens of Japanese art,
booths representing the sacred snow
capped peak of Japan, fashioned from
waste from the engine room, a canvas
tarpaulin and the rubber coats of the
sailors for the base, an imitation of the
bird, emDlematic of peace, holding the
Japanese and American flags in its bill
all the work of the sailors aboard.
The decorations called for many excla-
nations of surprise and admiration
from the American visitors.
The entertainment provided was wide
in scope and included skill in various
games. Jiu jitsu held the attention of
the crowd during that part of the en-
tertainment devoted to sports.
FENCING WITH BAMBOO
This was followed by an exhibition of
fencing. Japanese fencing does not
stop at the contestants touching each
other lightly. When a Jap scores the
point that wins the most app ause it is
when he is able to strike his opponent
a hard blow over the head or shoulder
with a bamboo stick and escape a re-
taliating blow. Both men wear head
gear like a baseball mask and heavy
pads over head, shoulders and hips, be-
sides a stout coat of mail made of bam-
boo.
There was also an exhibition of fancy
dancing, in which the dancers went
through dramatic as we'll as acrobatic
performances to the tune of japanese
songs that seemed to mean much to the
Japanese and brought forth great APP
plause. The dramatic possibilities of
the Japanese was also we'll illustrated
greatly appreciated by the sons of
Nippon. Some excellent juggling won
more applause from the Americans.
On the afterdeck, which was entirely
enclosed and rooted with canvas, Ad-
miral Yashiro received the guests. The
band played American airs, and there
was an exhibition Of fancy dancing by
party of Japanese arrayed in gor-
geous burlesque costumes representing
all nations.
SIGHTSEEING TOUR TODAY
On deck punch, cigars and cigarettes
were served, while in the cabin below
an excellent lunch was spread. Many
prominent citizens of Los Angeles
were among the guests. Representing
the city officially were Mayor Alexan-
der, Councilmen Betkouski and Lusk, j.
S. Myers, city auditor; Clarence NJ.
Taggart, tax collector, and Frank M.
Henderson, the mayors secretary. Most
of the city officials were accompanied
by their wives.
Today the officers on the cruisers will
be guests of the Los Angeles chamber
of commerce on an automobile sightsee-
ing tour. They will leave San Pedro at
1890 o'clock, and after touring the
business and residence portions of the
city will be taken to Pasadena, where
they will be entertained.