ASTOUNDING TRICK.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2051, 20 September 1880, Page 3

ASTOUNDING TRICK.

Tho “ Japan Mail” of a recent date gives an account of the following astounding trick:—lt is being exhibited at Joshida bashi. The performance takes place in a small room about 26ft. long by 12ft. wide, half being allotted to the spectators, who are admitted on payment of the moderate fee of two cents. The “ properties ” consist of a deal table and a sword, &o. After the usual soul stirring flourish on a drum and samisen, a man and woman appear from behind a screen; the man binds the woman’s head in a cloth, and she then kneels down close to the table, and sideways to the spectators. The man then draws the sword, makes a violent blow at the woman’s neck ; she falls forward, arms extended and limbs twitching. He then, having first wiped the sword on a gory looking piece of rag, takes up (apparently) the woman’s head, wrapped in the cloth, and places it on the table, To all appearance it is a human head, the eyelids and i 'natures have a convulsive motion ; presently the eyes open in a dreamy sort of way, and, to the accompaniment of the everlasting eamisen, the heads sings a mournful song. A curtain is then interposed between tho audience and tho performers, and when again drawn back the woman is disclosed quietly seated alongside the man, When it is recollected that this all takes place within about three feet from the spectator, and that the “ properties ” are of the simplest description, some idea may be formed of the wonderful excellence of a performance which has excited attention.