Japan and the Japanese

276 JAPAN. A. D. 1C90-1C92.
representing some Indian deities, began a dance. They were met
soon after by a third, of a still more monstrous size, who came forth
out of the mountain, armed with a great broad-sword. lie was
followed by seven Chinese, jumping out of the same mountain,
though to all appearance quite small, and dancing about in company
with the giants. After some time spent in dances, the great
monstrous giant beat the cask to pieces, out of which came a young
boy, very handsomely clad, who, after a fine long speech, which he
delivered in a very graceful manner, danced with the giant alone.
Meanwhile, three monkeys, with roe's heads, crept out of the foun-
tain, and, jumping on the walk round it, performed a dance, m'.mick-
ing that of the giant and boy. This done, every one returned to
his
place, and so the scene ended.
6.
" The pompous retinue of a
prince, travelling with his son,
very naturally represented by boys.
7.
"
Several huge machines, accurately resembling, both in size
and color, the
things they were to represent, but made of a thin
substance, so that one man could easily carry one upon his back.
But, besides this load on the back, every one of these men had a
very large drum hanging before him, which some others played
upon with bells. After this manner they crossed the stage, danc-
ing, though not very high, because of their load. The things which
they carried were, a well, with all the implements for extinguishing
fires; a large church-bell, with the timber work belonging to it,
and a dragon wound round it for ornament's sake ; a mountain,
covered with snow, and shaped like a dragon, with an eagle on the
top ; a brass gun, weighing twenty-four pounds, with all the tackle
belonging to it ; a heavy load of traveller's trunks, packed up in
twelve straw balls, according to the country fashion ; a whale in a
dish ; several shell fish and fruits, as big as the life, carried each
by one person."