Evening star., 1928-04-01

mostly stringed instruments which do
not permit Of much variety Of sound.
yet which get pleasing effects and at
times the players sing with their play
ing.
All Americans and other foreigners
who can do so attend the cherry bios
som show, but the japanese themselves
are enthusiastic patrons. The star
geisha dancers, who have devoted their
lives from childhood to the profession,
get individual and outstanding applause.
The costumes Of silk, needless to say, are
up to the standard Of the whole per-
Torrance.
One of the charming features OF at.
tending the performance Is the serving
OF tea and other refreshments before
entering the auditorium. An American
will receive cloth slipovers to put over
his shoes. while the japanese usually VII
remove their shoes or whatever form Of
native footwear they may use. and put
on cloth slippers. japanese tradition
ally remove their footwear on entering
house. One explanation Is that shoes
or footwear would cut into the mating
on the floors and besides It Is custom
which had its origin in reasons perfect
ly satisfactory TO the japanese.
In the ante-room Of the theater the
Japanese girls bring the tea and sweets
with much grace and many bright
smiles. There Is q ceremonial brewing
OF the tea by functionary who sits on
a platform. With this part OF the pro-
gram over. the patrons proceed into the
theater
American producers have brought ae-
tors and performances from many for
eign countries 10 the stage in the
United States. The merit Of the Kyoto
cherry blossoms show is such that the
people Of the United States undoubtedly
would fiock TO see 1t If brought to this
country. Whether that could be ar
ranged and whether the cost Of trans
porlation for actors, dancers and seem
cry across the Pacific would De prohini-
tive. are questions time will have 70
answer,
There is In the Maruyama Park IN
Kyoto a large cherry tree surrounded
by an iron fence which Is venerated be-
cause of an age which Is said to run
into the hundreds Of years. IL would
stand above and obscure any tree
around the Tidal Basin. However. all
over the city there are many cherry
trees, In private yards as wen a. In
admired and cared for lovingly, One Of
the most beautiful views IN Toxic Ia N
one of the cemeteries where an avenue
of cherry trees arches the driveway for
half mile or more. somewhat IN the
manner the elm trees arch New Hamp-
shire avenue beyond Dupont Cirele. but
the cherry trees are not nearly 50 lArEe
as the elnaS.
The train trip OF some zoo miles from
Toxic to Kyoto Is a delight in ArFil Tor
the plum and beach blossoms add
beautiful variety OF color 20 the white
cherry blossoms, And II the mist Is
yama, towering more than la.00a feet
and capped With snow the year round
Il Is then understood Why nearly eli
Japanese art features "FlIli."
Proceeding or south OF Kyota the
cherry blossom soon viii ce framed
against the charm Of the Inland sea for
the tourists delectaticn,
Aside from the cherry elcSScm inter
.St kNoto Is Of special Importance Co
The Woman tourist because II Is there
Ihe nneSt ktmoncS and hoari coafS may
Ne horght and Kyote also Is famed for
ss SatSuma ware, eleiScnne. damaSeene
and other ART works which tensct the
NeSterner, In all this ancient atmcS-
,here the city furnishes here ana there
he most astonishing touches OF mod
.rniSm, Tor there are streets hghted
electrically with q lAVtShneSS and aTtis-
~ that would not be ahAShed IN com.
NartSon with the Great White Way Of
broadway tame
This year aS last. the newSpApera al
Japan Will receive eaNled accounts Nf
he condition " the cherry blossoms m
With descriptions of the
vents At the Tidal hAstn such a. the
lNlt Of the Japanese AmhANNAd.4 and
'ther nOtaOlcA, and the pfOspaFilN and
ontinued expansion II the trees Wul b.
tatlfNmg ~ The japanese incidentally
10 more cherry trees Are lnAyserted ftOm
apan m az enUrt ~ prevent any tToa
diseases itOM reaching The ualtea
.te'v' The pfupagaitsn ~ tfess 81
eadN here thefetoFs must BE- asl,snls1
IIcn ioI hiiuls planlmsa