11 MAY 1991, Page 33

Gate-ball gusto

Sir: It is not surprising that Roy Jenkins (Books, 13 April) found the Emperor of Japan knowledgeable about croquet. Hiro- hito would not have needed a brief from his Court Chamberlain because he would have known that for the last 20 years or so millions of his older subjects had taken to a derivative of the game with gusto. It is probably the favourite outdoor recreation for both sexes over the age of 60. With that Japanese knack of not quite anglicising their Western fads the game is known prosaically as Gate Ball.

Merrick Baker-Bates

3 Regency Terrace, London SW7