JAPANESE SHIPS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 246, 8 June 1932, Page 8

JAPANESE SHIPS

ADMIRAL'S "AT HO'ME" INTERESTING HISTORICAL RELICS AND CLEVER SCENES. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. WELLINGTON, Saturday. Viee-Admiral Nobujiro Imamura and the officers of the Imperial Japanese Training Suadron were "at home on board the H.I.J.M.S. Asama, flagship of tbe squadron. The function was one that will remain long in the memory of the many guests privileged to accept the lavish hospitality of the Japanese visitors. Warships are not built for soeial functions, but subject to the limitatiofts imposed by the ships themselves, the arrangements for the entertainment of a very large number of guests left nothing to be desired. Efficiency is a watchword of the Japanese Navy, and 'it was apparenr to the minutest detail in the organisation of the function. The guests were received by ViceAdmiral Imamura, Captain Kasuya of the Asama, and other s enior officers of the squadron on the quartei - declc of the flagship. The gangways were deeorated with the national colours, and the guests stepped on board beneath two large Japanese naval ensigns. ' The quarterdeck, completely covered by "snvas awnings, was festively diecoratea with gaily-coloured signal flags, and Japanese lanterns. Clevier Scenes. The officers and cadets' did not spare themselves in seeing to the entertainment of their many guests, who, in small parties, were person ally conducted through the ship. In addition to the guns and other equip ment, the seamen had cleverly utilised odd corners in arranging piodels of scenes in Japan, a nunibei of ingeniously-contrived landscapea being built up by means of painted screens, rock work, vari-coloured sand, sprays . of cheery hlossom worked in paper, the realistic effect being heightened by the arrangfc' ment of the quaint dwarf trees peculiar to Japan. A number of these were 50-year-old pine trees barely one foot high. There was aiso a clever representation of a mid- winter scene in Japan with snow-clad Pujiyama in the background. Still another ingenious' affair was a pord in which paper goldfisli were madt to disport themselves round the line of a weird-looking fisherm(an, who tapped his foot impatiently and rolled his eyes at the failure of the fish to hite. All the movements here — including those of the fish — were worked electrically. Thrilling Athletic Displays The guests were thrilled by that part of the programme devoted to Japanese athletic displays. On the wharf a square space, liberally padded, was enclosed, in which the most realistic displays of double-handed fencing, jiujitsu and wrestling were given by tbe cleverest exponents from the crews of both ships. In the fencing, done with wooden weapons, the opponents fought with their faces proteeted hy masks and their bodies hy breastplates and padded clothes. With w,eird; cri.es they hurled themselves at each other and the bouts were willing to the nth degree. In the fencing the winner was he who secured a cut at the head, the right wrist, the side of the ehest or a thrust at the throat. Following the athletic displays ^llG | guests were entertained at afternoon tea, during which the flagship's fine band played appropriate music. The Japanese officers, cadets and men proved themselves delightful hosts, and spared nothing in providing for the pleasure of their guests, many of whom were privileged to see some of the interesting mementoes and relics of the fighting careers of the Asama and Iwate. Historic Relics. One that greatly impressed visitors was a group of photographs of the officers and men of the Asama who were killed in action during the Rus • so- Japanese War, 1904-05. At the side of each photograph was the name and record of the officer or man, and the whole was surmounted by an appreciation of their gallant deeds written by Admiral Togo. Carefully preserved in another glasscovered compartment were to be seen the ceremonial robes of the late Emperor of Japan, with whom the Asama was a favourite ship. An interesting and very impres sive ceremony took place shortly before the guests left the ships. This was the lowering of the ships' ensigns at sunset. Every officer and man stood rigidly at the salute. faeing aft, as the flags were lowered to the strains of the Japanese National Anthem, played by the ships' bands. While the ships are in a British port, the Japanese Anthem is invariably followed hy the playing of the British National Anthem.