Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-08-13
Death OF A Famous Artist.

Iuue 40. which came into our HANDS
through Mr.. VIM, w. Rouss, we copy
the following interesting notice OF the
death of famous Japanese art 81, VINO
few years ago spent some time IN TINS
county. The distinguished artist was
near relative of the great Japanese min-
| lister of that name who few years ago
represented Japan with signal ability in
this country. Ia 1906 he spent some
time in this county, guest OF Mr.. YIN.
w. Rouss at Shannon Hill" and hand
somelv decorated the latter's residence.
making IT exceedingly beautiful IN It's
interior finish, andnndoubtedly one OF
the finest to be found outside of the
palatial homes in the northern cities,
/. Daring his stay here his charming
daughter, Tsuru, was also guest OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Rouss, and was much ad-
mired. The San Diego Union says:
Few local people who heard of the death
here Wednesday morning Oft. Aoki knew
that with the last beat of lis heart there
fckered out of the sky of mortal life an
Artistic star of the first magnitude, that
there babe farewell to all things earthly one
who had hobnobbed with princes whose
names appear in the Almanach de Gotha
and Burke's Peerage, who had been the
familiar friend of the brightest
Intellects of the American stage, and who
had entertained at his table, with princely
profusion, the kings of American finance,
the Captains of industry" who have sue
eeeded in this commercial age to the SUBJ
stance of more than feqdal power, even
if the drab tastes of practical and prosaic
age forbid them the shadow of feudal
pomp.
Aoki had truly artistic contempt for
| money, end while he made large sums
easily he spent them even more lavisbly'
and SO it was that when the final summons
came, 1.-THE black camel found itself kneel-
ing before the door of humble little cot
tage far out on University avenue, while
| within lay the emaciated form Of the little
painter, his ifeless hand clntched in the
| clasp of his faithful daughter, Tsuru, the
one being from his own land of chrysan-
themums and cherry blossoms to receive
his farewell breath in strange city and a
strange land
| Aoki came from Japan twenty five years
ago, an artist sent abroad by the japanese
government to study the art of other ma
| tons. He passed brief time in New York,
during which he formed another frierd- |
| ship with Augustin DAILY, who was not
only playwright and great manager,
but had himself the soul of an artist. From
| New York, Aoki went to Europe and made
tour of the world before returning tol
| Japan.
In Yokohama, Nagasaki Shanghai,
Singapore Calcutta, Delhi aud Bombay are
to be found Americans and Europeans to
whom the call Of the east has come as an
| imperative mandate: about whom the
mysterious charm Of the Orient has woven
web of enchantment from which there is
no escape Rarely is it that the occdeut
has found any charm for the oriental. Its
history to him is new and undressing
its civilization raw and crude. But to
Aoki's eyes, the western world appeared in
a different guise, and for him it had an
appearance that finally proved irresistible.
After brief residence in the land of his
birth, he returned to America.
He won great success as an artist, and
his pictures were in much demand among
those best acquainted with japanese art.
He delighted in the society of men and
women of intellect and his closest friends
were to be found among the stars of the
drama Early in his career here he be-
came the friend of men like Edwin Booth
and Lawrence Barrett Later he met and
enjoyed the acquaintanceship OF Henry
Irving and Ellen Terry. When he died be
wore on one finger ring given him by
Mary Anderson and on another, one pre-
sented by Lillian Russell. He designed
the scenery for Madame Butterfly" ant
his advice wss sought by Blanche Bate
when she was given the role of the leadin
woman in 1.-THE Garden of the Gods.
Particularly warm friends of his anon
the latter generation of great actors wer
Julia Marlowe and Edward Sothern.
Even in Europe his reputation as a
artist was considerable and one of h
priced possessions was a gold medal b
slowed upon him by Queen Victoria.
He received great sums from wealth
Americans, among whom he was wide
known, and disbursed them as rapidly
received. On dinner given to twent
five persons of ncte at Pasadena, he spe
$1,000. Among the guests on that occasi'
were John D. Rockefeller, Nelson Nor
and Mrs. Potter Palmer. At these fur
tons, which were by no means uncomm
in his experience, he CARRIED himself
oriental fashion, and the favors, alwa
expensive, were characterized by sol
token of his native land At the dim
lust mentioned, the guests were present
with tiny iinrckshas, elegantly carv'
His winters for zen years were passed
Pasadena, while in the summer be was
- be found at resorts like the Antlert at G
orado Springs, or at Hot Springs, Lo
Branch or some similar place.
Among local residents who knew b
we'll in Pasadena, and who are friends
| his daughter in her hour OF sorrow,
l Mr. and Mrs. Il ii Cole of this city. 3
| Manager ]. II Holmes and Assistant MI
| ager ALONE P. Lee of the U. s Grant hot
| Another local man who knew Aoki
/ slightly, but who heard his ability as
i artist praised by japanese official seye
i years ago, is Richard Cunning
il His daughter, 1sarn, i Charming vol
III since she was eight years Of ase, and y
proposes to study for the stage She '
Ill leave for New York in few months
III take a course in the dramatic art under
noted teacher Aiyini She WAS educa