Famous Japanese Actor Here'
For Short Season Bringing to bear the full scope of dramatic art in the interpretation of the veritable spirit of Japan as ex: amplified in the realm of drama, a company of 8 Japanese players from Osaka presented four plays last week at the Kabukiza Theatre, Szechuen Road.
Headed by Mr. Senjyaku Nakamura, son of the most noted and authoritative Japanese interpreter of old plays, Mr. Ganjiro Nakamura, the company provides an opportunity for foreig: fers to enjoy Japanese drama in the purest classic form. The Kabukiza Theatre, in fact, is the sole theatre in this city devoted to the presenta tion of the plays of old Japan. A house crowded to capacity, critical to a marked degree and most enthusiastic, amply testified to the erlistic appreciation of the Japanese community.
In each of the three plays, ideals of honour are vividly set forth. The first play "The Sword of Ise" tells of the search for a famed sword. The hero, Imada Manjiro, lavishes his wealth upon a courtesan, and from thence forth, his attempts to regain his sword from tricksters forms. the major structure of the plot. Highly Signiticant, the whole is permeated with a symbolism graphically presented, once the key is provided. This, subtle as it is, can readily be penetrated, however, once the gist of the story, and the traditions of the Samurai, are even superficially understood.
'The second play "Loyalty's Saerifice" deals with two brothers in opposite camps, each of whom has a on, One son' captured determines upon death for the sake of his father when the sight of hie mother stays his resolve. Ahead, purporting to be that of his father is brought in, and the son commits harakiri. The first brother deceives his master, and prevented from harakirl by retainers. He goes instead to seek death Upon the battlefield. A. third short play reveals the splendid traditions Of loyalty to the master as expressed by a Sumaral who kills his own son rather than to betray his superior. The series closes on a dramatic climax. with "Okitsu's Revenge, tale providing the- revelation of a woman's loyalty to her sister. Thoughout, it weds the spirit with the material, 2 combination of the natural and supernatural which lends
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.