FLOATING JAPAN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2816, 6 July 1916, Page 6

FLOATING JAPAN

A UNIQUE RECEPTION

GORGEOUS SCHEME OF DECORATION

ASSAIjLT-AT-ARMS ,

Many moous will wax and wane before those who attended the reception given by Rear-Admiral Mntsumura, on the flagship 1 irate, will forget yesterday alternoon s experience. lor tne nonce the grim guns tuat proclaimed the real business ol the ship were hidden away, and in soim- mysterious manner the places they occupied on tho main a eel; of the warship was transformed as though by fairy waud into tho smiling landscape's and gloaming gardens of old Japan. But tins reception was different t-, all other receptions that the memory holds. It couiuibiiced at the tail iron g.ites of the Clyde Quay Wharf where was assembled a po'se of officers ami nudj.nii -n'ii, readyto extend the hand of friendship to all holders of a card. White-gloved hands were outstretched to all as soon n-.s the port-al was passed, and having shaken hands with ea-ch incoming gu.est or group of them a midshipman was summoned to look, after them, and throughout tho afternoon that midshipman served faithfully as a friend, philosopher, and guide, explaining everything ol interest about the ship. His first l'-riendly act was to tie on tho- arms of the ladies of each party a black naval' cap-band bearing the namo of the Iwate in Japanese characters. Many a haughty dame or smiling girl looked round, ivitli surprise to seo who was catching her arm, to be met by the smiling face of a'Japanese youth doing iiis best'to tie a ribbon on. Thence to tiio gangway was a smiling lane of officers, ushering the guests up the gangway—into Fairyland. That which was the main deck was a glowing garden, set out in regular beds, and laughing outright in a blaze of the richest and most varied colour. Before one could accustom oneself to the unique setting, their names were called by the Japanese Consul (Mr. T. Young), and they were shaking hands with Rear-A'dmiral Matsumura, resplendant in full uniform. The first item in this Eden of wonders was a plot that extended across tho middle of the deck under the frowning 8-inch guns. It was a replioa of a. Japanese''house and garden—the sweetest little model of a Japanese house, with all the shoji slid back— and showing tho matted floors and furniture, with a .winding path descending from the front to a tiny 6uminer-house perched on the apex of a small eminence. The turf of the lawns was real turf, with a thick mat of dewy grass, and tho paths wore of real sand. Tho flower-beds were not real, but at a little distance they looked simply charming, for the art of the Japanese in tho making of artificial flowers is something to compel admiration. On the. port sidb of the ship were other wonders. Here was a pool, peopled irith miniature carp, which sported about in the most natural manner under the influence of electrical magnets, cunningly concealed under the canvas bottom. By tho side of the pool sat a lone fisherman from tho Inland Soa, getting bites in plenty, but nary a fish. Near by was a woodland scene, adroitly concoivcd, with an armoured figure in tho background writing a poem on a tree (in the fashion of Orlando in tho i Forest of Arden). This was a representation of the famous Samurai warrior of somo fifteen hundred years ago, named Kojinia Takariori, who is said to have written something startling in tho way of a patriotic poem under such conditions. Somewhere under the bridge was another circular garden, including a circular tramway track, with a miniature electric car rusliing round in defiance of the speed-limit law. The triangle formed by the bow of the ship was, however, devoted to- the piece do resistance—n broad landscape, with Tusliing streams, lakes, garden plots, summerhouses, bridges typical of Japan, stretch- I ing away to the slopos of snow-clipped ! Fujiyama. In a rccess was also lingo replicas of the Orders of tho Rising Sun, Sacrcd Treasure, and tho Golden Kite, many of which were being worn by tho officers who have served in Japan's wars during the last generation. ' One side of tho deck was reserved for long tables, on which were set out delectable refreshments, which could be taken with the bubbly -waters of Hirano, tho famous I beer of Sapporo, or Japanese tea, according to taste. When everyone was satisfied in that regard, sports wero announced, and here ensued one of 'tho most remarkable 6cones. A square on the wharf, opposite tho gangway, had been ropod off and heavily padded with mattresses, and at the sound of a bugle tt group of halfclad, very muscular wrestlers issued fiom tho Azuma, and a Japanese sailor, very clearly, in the . best American language, announced that wrestling would take place.. The referee took his position be- !■ twoen tho first two contestants, dropped a pair of red tassels between them, and, on it being lifted, they sprang at each other like wild cats, slapping their bare shoulders and backs loudly whilst sctking for a grip. Tho point to be observed, it was gathered, was not to tcuch tho ground with anything'but the feet. Tho first to touch it otherwise was tho vanquished. Somo splendid matches took place, one sturdy fellow throwing thteo men in succession clean off their fc-ct and out of tho ring. Then there were displays of fencing, not fencing as wo understand it, but bouts in protective armour of bamboo and a wire mask, with stout bamboo. sticks wielded with bcth hauds. There were somo blood-"lirr:ng contests in this strange manner, and then men with wooden bayonets tried conclusions with their comrades only armed with tho bamboo sticks. An exhibition of jiu-jitsu by two experts vas particularly interesting. Finally there was a grand assault-at-arins, when :,vo armies of about forty men each look up sides on the wharf, armed with bamboo "waddies," each with a brittle disc placed over his forehead above Ms mask. ■ At tho call of- tho bugle they rushed at each other with wild shrieks, and struck joyously at one another with might and main, trying to break each others' discs. After a two-minute melee, tho buglo sounded the retreat, and discs wero counted. It was found that only four white discs were . intact, whilst the red discs counted a dozen. Then came a bayonet fight on the same line, only with the placed over the heart. This was jpst as strenuous and exciting. Tho grotesque appcaranco of. the ,m«n in their skirts and wooden armour was a sight never to be forgotten. At the conclusion of the sports tho band of the flagship played "God Save the King," and followed with the Japanese Anthem. Thereafter the crowd slowly dispersed, a clatter of tongues testifying to their thorough enjoyment. Some spccial friends of tl>3 officers were afterwards entertained informally in tho ward room. It was thero that during the laughter and merry conversation that tho baud of the flagship was heard once more. Instantly there was silence, every Japanese came to stilt attention, and remained thero unblinkingly until the strain wailed away to nothing. "God Save tho King" followed, a bugle sounded, down fluttered tho colours. It was sunset.

Daring the evening the friend? of the afternoon guests were given the freedom of the ship until 8 p.m., and many availed themselves of the opportunity of viewing the lovely decorations. Among those present were the Hons. Sir Francis 8011, A. M. Myers, Brig-adier-General Sir Alfred Robin, Sur-geon-General Henderson, several stall' officers, Paymaster Brown (of H.M.S. Torch), several members of Parliament, heads of Department?, and Consular representatives.