Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-18

We lined up in front of a small table
or altar to which the priest advanced
to take from it a branch of a tree, be-
decked with fragments of white linen
Facing us, he waved it vigorously to
and fro, to drive away all evil spirits
Then we went to another place, where
the priest tremendously took from
side altar-table a small branch which
he placed in the hands of our chairman,
who advanced TO the shrine itself, an
altar, and laid the offering upon it, We
then bowed low and retired, casting
coins into long, wide, cloth padded
receptacle as We departed,
A large number of the people had gath
cred to see us. They were respectfully
curious. But none followed us, as
similar group of foreigners would proba
bly, have been followed in America. The
smiles were ever present in response to
any greeting which we gave to those we
passed.
The two attendants who had accom-
panied us to the shrine next escorted us
to the iris garden which was greatly
beloved by the Emperor Meiji and his
Empress. 1t is not open to the public,
but by special dispensation we were
shown through it. Here are the love-
lest of vistaS, glimpSes of water, masses
of foliage and blossom, azaleaS espe-
cially being just now in evidence. The
iris will bloom in July, and then this
place Will be a gorgeous scene. Every
thing is Scrupulously tended. Women
were buS1ly engaged in raking the leaves
off the paths. The garden. which is
many acres in extent, both land and
water, Is kept always in readiness for
an imperial visitation.
See Base Ball Game.
From Meiji we went to see a base ball
game, really too abrupt a declension.
Yet it was well to see young Japan en-
gagged in the sport that has become Vir-
tually the national outdoor paStime.
Waseda University was playing Keio
University and was winning by ire
mendous margin. We left Just before
the end of the ninth inning and as I
remember the score then was % to 3
in favor of Waseda. We then hurried
over to neighboring stadium, splen-
did field, where WaSeda and Keio were
conteSting in field and track events.
While We were there one race of nearly a
mile was run, and there was much jave-
lin throwing and pole vaulting. never
heard how the scoring stood.
Last nights entertainment by Baron
Okura was at the Peers Club, not far
from this hotel. 1t was a most perfect
demonstration of Japanese hospitality.
After gathering we were escorted down.
stairs to the theater, passing along I'M
foreground corridors to reach it. The
theater was joyous revelation a large
oblong room, on one side of which
stage projected, covered by roof and
surrounded by "moat" of stone-Strewn
space below the level of the auditorium
proper. The seating plan is character
fCflpQl1V Jnn1nRCn
backless settees are arranged around
three sides of the stage. which CLEANS
like glass in highly polished woodwork.
This stage is the gift of the Peers Club
of the Emperor of Japan, for whom a
seat is reserved at the back center,
roped off from all others, and, of course,
higher than any other seat. None may
ever be seated on as high level as the
Emperor. And none may ever look
down upon him.
The stage was absolutely bare when
we entered. At the back on a great
panel, was painting of a pine tree,
gnarled and twisted, but evidencing
great age and strength. This is the
permanent back drop" of the theater.
a beautiful creation. When all We're
seated, about hundred persons, there
was a fiutter of a colored silk curtain
at the end of passageway connecting
the stage with the wing" at stage right,
and several men came slowly on, step
ping SClemnly. They were, ii proved
the musicians a flute player and three
drummerS, and also half dozen sing
erS. The orchestra seated themselves
across the back of the stage and the
choriSterS at the side. facing center.
All was perfectly silent when again the
silk curtain fiuttered and an actor, the
lead" entered. Meanwhile an attend
ant had put a small pine tree at the
front of the stage. This was the actors
objective, according to the text of the
descriptive program which had been
provided for us WeSternerS One may
judge of the tempo Of the mo" play
when 1t is stated that it took the per-
former no less than minutes to reach
the tree, perhaps SO feet distant.
I find that this story is getting too
long for me to indulge in a description
or analysis of the mo" plays which we
witnessed last night. Tonight we are
10 see some more dramaticS, of a diff
ferent kind. and possibly later we may
witness still third style So 1 will
postpone this subject until I can take
into general account the various forms
of the drama in Japan. Suffice 1t to
say that the performance at the Peers
Club was most interesting and impress
sive revelation of the power of the
Japanese people to preserve the ancient
forms Of culture intact and to appre-
ciate them
AS for the banquet which followed
the plays, it can only be said that 1t
was in the most attractive style. We
were literally surrounded by the most
important people, short of the imperial
family. in Japan. Baron Okura made
an eloquent address of welcome and
felicitation, and it CHANGED to be my
turn to respond in the rotation of the
assignments of the speakers bureau :"
Save for that fact it may be truly said
that "a pleasant time was had by all"
Note-Another of Mr.. Lyons letters
will appear in The Star tomorrow.
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