A SENSATIONAL ENTERTAIN MENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2341, 17 September 1880, Page 2

A SENSATIONAL ENTERTAIN MENT.

The “ Japan Nlnil ” gives an account of the following astounding trick :It is being exhibited at Josbida-bashi. The performance lakes place in a small room about 20 feet long by 12 feet wide, half being - allnted to the spectators, who arc admitted on payment of tho moderate fee of two cents. The “ properties ” consist of a deal table .and a sword, ike. After the usual soul-stirring llourish 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 nock ; she falls forward, arms extended and limbs twitching, lie then, having lirst wiped tho 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 features have a convulsive motion ; presently the eyes open in a dreamy sort of way, and, to the accompaniment of the everlasting samisen, the head sings a mournful son.g. A curtain is then interposed between the audience and the performers, and when again drawn back, the woman is disclosed quietly seated alongside the man. When it is recollected that all this 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 lias excited much attention.