New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-12
MINISTER OF POETRY
Chief Of an important Govern
ment DEPARTMENT in Japan.

fcopvright, 1912, by the Brentwood Company
In England poetry has been officially rec
oepized for hundreds OF years past, by the
crown office Of Poet Laureate, which car
ries with IL membership in the Royal
Household. a small salary, and several per-
oulsitcs and prcrogat ives. 1t has been filled
hv some men Of the highest literary dis
,inction, like Tennyson, Wordsworth. etc.
hut has been more commonly occupied by
yereifers Of less degree.
In Japan. however poetry plays such an
important role that there Is government
Department Of Poetry, with a Minister Of
state at its head He is the only minister
who does not go out of office with the
Cabinet in fact, he is permanent The
robleman who has held this position since
1883. Baron Takasaki, has Just passed away
at the advanced age of eighty. He was a
notable figure at Toxic. especially at state
functions. with his snow-white hair, mus
tache and Ions side whiskers. Originally
a soldier. who fought with distinction
throughout the civil war Of 1867 which re-
suited In the overthrow of the ShoEunate,
and the concentration of power in the
hands Of the Emperor his poems played so
great a role in awakening the patriotism Of
the people and their loyalty to their sove-
reign that he was appointed to the posi-
tion which he held for the rest of his days
Among his most cherished treasures was
the poem sent 10 him by the American
Secretary of State John Hay only cou-
pie Of weeks before the latter's death
which begins:
l. a gray poet Of the Sunset Land
Greet you who sing by Nippou's shining strand
out Of the shadows Of day that's dcne.
bail YOU. poet Of the RISING sun.
Another highly przed souvenir Of his vas
an autograph COPY Of Tennyson's verse er
titled THE Poet" The old baron was
most interesting not to say over"hein''ns'
tslker. I would not STYLE him converse
tionalist for he was stone deaf. and thus
as indifferent 70 the remarks OF Others as
the late M Gladstone. Needless 10 say.
he was high in favo- az a court where
every wear there is sort Of tournament OF
poetry. in which many hundreds Of con
restants including members Of the imperial
family. mobiles, merchants soldiers and
val officers take part. The gift which the
Mikado csteems the highest IN his power
10 bestow IS poem Of his own compost
lion. and sometimes the wheels OF state
are halted for q few hours while the Sun
descended Emperor IS engaged in the pro
duction Of verse
The Empress and the Crown Prince were
frequent visitors TO Baron Takasakis beau
tiful villa OupakwaEu. situated on a cliff
overlooking the blue waters of Sagami Bay.
and his lacquer writing case was present
10 him from her majesty. Perhaps his
most difficult and delicate task was to
revise and pronounce upon the poetcal
effusions Of his imperial master, which by
q miracle Of tact he managed to perform
without ever giving offence. In this he was
more fortunate than the poet laureate OF
my old friend Shah Nasr- ed-Din Hear
ing some Of the roval verse he denounced
II as sheer foolishness For this he was
taken TO the stables and severely fogged.
4 week later the Shah again asked
his professional opinion Before the
monarch had been reading two min
utes the laureate rose and FASTENED
10 the door Where are YOU going?" cried
the Shah. To the stables for another
fogging," exclaimed the poet, with such an
air Of hopeless misery that Nasr-ed-Din
burst into a ~ Of laughter, made him re-
sumo his place inflicted no more verse
upon him and treated him ever after with
great consideration as the one honest man
Of his encourage.