B. What a fine group. How natural it is. One would almost think it real. T. Yes, the modeller has done his work very skilfully. B. Let us pass on. Here is an open-air theatre. What is it for? 7. It is a marionette show. The performance begins at three o'clock. Shall we wait to see it? B. Yes, I am very fond of puppet shows. Let us wait and see the performance. XVII. AT THE THEATRE. B. Tanaka, my boy, as we have a holiday to-day, and have planned no excursion, I should like you to take me to the theatre. T. Oh! that will be a treat, sir! let's go to the Meijiza. B. What play is being performed there? T. The tragedy of the Forty-seven Ronin. B. What is the name of the writer? playwright? T. Chikamatsu Monzaemon, the Japanese Shakspere, who lived in the 18th century. T. Yes, the tragedy will be followed by a short comedy, a farce by our rising young dramatist, Matsui Masaharu. B. When do the doors open? T. The doors open at three, and the curtain rises (the play begins) at four. B. Let's be off. If we catch a car at the corner of Hibiya Park we shall just be in time. (In the theatre) T How do you like it, sir? B. I think it most interesting, and the revolving stage is a great improvement on the fixed one in English theatres. T. And what about the scenery? B. Very fine indeed. It's so natural. T. Which do you prefer, the old school of acting or the new? B. I much prefer the old school. The actors are better than those of the new school and so are the plays. That is my opinion. T. The curtain has fallen. Let us take some refreshment between the acts. B. Very well! I am both hungry and thirsty, let's have some tea and cakes. XVIII. IN MARUNOUCHI. B. The other day, Tanaka, I was passing through Marunouchi, on my way home from school, when I saw a large group of school children looking at a beautiful equestrian statue of a samurai. Whom does it represent? T. Oh! you mean the statue of Kusunoki Masashige; the one (at) some distance. in front of the palace bridge crossing the inner moat. B. Yes, I noticed that the teacher was pointing at the statue and explaining something to his pupils. 1 T. Yes, he was no doubt teaching them to be faithful by telling them Masashige's story. B. Please tell me his history. T. Masashige was a famous samurai, and a true example of bushido, the soul of Japan. He served his master the Emperor Godaigo Tenno, who ruled about 800 years ago. Now at that time a powerful traitor named Ashikaga Takauji rose up against the Emperor, and tried to seize his throne. Soon the two armies met at the Minato River and a fierce battle was fought. But after a while, Masashige, who led the Emperor's army, saw he could not hope to win, as his soldiers were much fewer than Ashikaga's. So he slew himself. B. That is a very beautiful and touching story. But did Ashikaga overcome the Emperor? T. No, after a time he was overthrown. B. I am glad of that. Wherever I pass the statue of Masashige, I will uncover in respect to so true a model of a samurai. |