Imperial Valley press., 1936-10-18

lowed Matsuya San, looking out over an en-
chanting garden with tiny arched bridge and
a toy pagoda We finally reached flight, of
stairs, also of wood having a satiny polish,
which led to the banquet room.
Most of the party had already arrived. was
the only American my host and the other
guests all being Japanese. Had been stranger
in Japan they would have shaken my hand in
occidental style, but instead they bowed and
welcomed me in Japanese, which understood
After the greeting in Japanese, English was
spoken out of respect for my limited knowledge
of their language, and because they
tremey proud of their ability to speak English
with fuency. had dined at Matsuyas before
but never in this particular room which I knew
was famous for the murals done by a dis
tinguished Japanese artist.
1 examining the work when the Shoji
slid open and gesha stood before us. To say
simply that she was vision of loveliness would
be doing her rank injustice. Her long kimono,
a marvel of deep purple silk embroidered with
gold and silver cranes and orchid blossoms,
parted slightly at the ankles revealing silken
undergarment of bright yellow. Her obi was of
gold cloth, and spray of flowers was woven
into her exaggerated chignon. Her feature
were faultess; her skin creamy velvet. ST
bowed with the grace of a court lady and a
moment later was kneeng opposite me.
@THER geiSha followed her into the room,
~ but was conscious only of the "lady in
purple Then suddenly realized that she de-
sired to be served with sake. She smingly
cepted the satsun,d cup with hands of porcelain
fineness, and lifted it to lips bright with ver
million paint. She then rinsed the sake cup in
lacquer bowl provided for the purpose, filled it
with sake and passed it to me with curtsy.
When I had drunk this the initial formaties
were over.
Her name was Akka, which means scent of
autumn" thought it a very romantic and
poetic name indeed, and told her So She seemed
very pleased but knew that it was geishas
business to be pleased with every action of her
patron. She seemed surprised that I could
struggle along in Japanese and told the other
geisha, in such rapid Japanese that I could
catch no more than few words that here
a most remarkable foreigner who could speak
their language. She sang and danced for me.
She played the samisen and the koto. She an
tcipated my every desire-knew exactly whsT>
1 wanted even before I aware of it myself
My host informed me that she was noted for
her beauty and versatility. He had secured her
as special honor to me.
AS the dinner progressed, she told me love
tales of ancient Japan, she heaped compliments
upon me- which pleased me, though I knew per-
fectly well how the geisha is trained in flattery.
But she fattered well! l finally really
convinced of her sincerity when she shyly took
a tiny leather bound booklet from her flowing
kimono sleeve and asked for my autograph.
Perhaps wanted to be convinced!
IA /HEN the gesha had gone, and, in the
Wv early morning hours, we were enjoying
a pre-breakfast pick-me-up at the Oriental
Hotel bar, my host informed me that Akika had
refused to take a single sen for entertaining
the American gentleman" She had paid me
the supreme compliment. was speechless with
delight. However, my friend was very artful
host perhaps he too adept in fattery.
have often wondered since, but it is very easy
for me to convince myself that he spoke the
truth.
Al1ika typifes the geisha girl, and the geisha
girl typifies the lure and beauty and charm of
old Japan. Akika is the most perfect lady
have ever had the pleasure to meet = not E
courtezan, not a tea a-house" girl, nor th
scarlet woman" misinformed or uniformed
occidental world associates with the name =
but a geisha.
Akika, the geisha is the feeting bit of ro-
capture in cold words those tiny dmpes that
broke the smooth sweep Of her cheeks, nor the
happy laughter that bubbled from her doll-like
lips The memory Of her lays before me like
challenge, vision Of brilliant silk, posturing
fan in hand, against background of gold
screens, in the exquisite chaste simplicity of
Japanese room, to the barbaric beat Of the
tsusumi and the shril tinkling strings Of the
sdmisen.