Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1879 — A PICTURESQUE FETE. [ARTICLE]

A PICTURESQUE FETE.

Celebrating the Visit of the Mikado of Japan to Tokio. Old Reddo never saw ouch a display aa was witnessed on the 24th of August, when Tokio, tho Capitol of the restoration, rather famous of late for its public entertainment*, eclipsed itself by the maniflcence of its fete to the Mikado. In no other country, says the Tokio Times, could such a characteristic assemblage have been witnessed. This popular lete to the Mikado had been for some time projected by the citizens of Tokio, who were anxious that their Emperor should receive from the people of his Capital the same display of loyalty which, so for, hod principally been confined to the provinces, through which, from time to time, he had made royal progress. The Mikado arrived on the ground shortly after half past 3 in the afternoon, escorted by a troop of lanoers and accompanied by the representatives of Tokio, who had methlm'ai the park entrance. The preeentation to his Majesty of old people of Tokio over eighty years of age was then made, some addresses were made and replied to, and, at about half past 4, the games commenced which were to form the principal attractions of the fete, Qen. Grant and suite and the diplomatic body having arrived in the meantime. The first performance consisted of lance and sword exercise, in which some hundred men took part,

fighting in couples, either with lauces or broadswords. The performers were encased with the* usual padding on their left side, while the heads were protected with masks, and right lustily did they belabor one another. To onlookers the broadsword exercise afforded the most amusement, especially when, in the excitement of the tussle, the two men would drop their weapons and fight out the battle by wrestling, often rolling over and over each other in their momentary wrath or vexation.- After this came the Yuba Same, or archery by mounted horsemen, and of all the games this certainly was the most entertaining. A straight road across the inolosure was kept by hurdles (forming a riding course of probably 300 yards), and three white paper targets stood in front of blackboards at equal distances, each target oeing about ten feet from the road down which the archers had to ride at foil speed. The first target was at the commencement of the course, second in the middle, the third at the finish. The archers appeared in their picturesque costumes, which are now only to be seen in the prints of a past civilization, with their many colored dresses, their aprons of deer or bear skin, their heavy stirrups, their long bow and their quiver of arrows at saddle seat, Starling at a gallop, the archer places his arrow in position with the bow held well up; as he nears the target the bow stretches, the arrow

comes in a line with his eye, and, wben passing the object, an imperceptible motion discharges the shaft into the target, cutting it in two, and creating a shower of tinsel paper to attract attention to his powess, while the attendant marker raises a white “mop” to show the hit. The practice was wonderful, and out often competitors but one failed to hit the targets, and he, poor fellow, missed all three. Most struck all in succession, and the last rider won well earned appulse by brandishing his arrow iu his nand until the target seemed to have been passed, when suddenly its very center was found to have been pierced. This able archer was Mr. Kasiyo, a prince of Chikugo and a former Governor of Kanagawa. The Mikado left immediately after the games, when ail the guests repaired to the supper pavilion, where ample meat and most ample drink were provided for an innumerble crowd of hungry and thirsty souls. From dark until 10 o’clock an unusually fine display of fireworks was lee off from the lake, and whole park became aglow with lanterns hanging in festoons from tree to tree. The road back to the station, with its myriads of light, its crowds of people, its block of carriages and jinrikisbas, is a sight which will not be forgotten by those who witnessed it.