Japanese Plays. By the late Thomas R. H. McClatchie. Edited
by his brother, Ernest S. McClatchie. (W. H. Allen.)—This is a new edition of a book published some years ago in Yokohama, where its contents had previously appeared in the columns of the Japan Daily Herald. The author says in his preface that these rhymes "must not be taken as translations," but that they are "merely efforts to sketch, in a cursory manner, the general outline of the plots." The Japanese dramas are of an enormous length ; and in this, as, indeed, in other respects, require adaptation to Western tastes. Mr. McClatchie's rhymes, whether or no they represent the originals, are exceedingly good. We have seen nothing that comes so near for ease and humour to "Ingoldsby." Here is a specimen, and it is not better than a score of others that might easily be given "Yes, my heroine 's charming !—her figure so trim
As the willow tree's bough is as graceful and slim; Her complexion 's as white as is Feji s hoar peak
'Heath the snows of midwinter — like damask her cheek—
With a dear little nose, And two eyes black as sloes, And a pair of ripe lips which, when parted, disclose Pearly teeth—her fine eyebrows obliquely are set, (In Japan that 's a beauty)—her hair 's dark as jet, And is coiled in thick masses on top of her pate, In a wonderful chignon as big as a plate :-
(There axe eight styles of chignon, just here I may tell
Hy fair readers, as known to the Japanese .
The illustrations, in true Japanese style, are also very good.
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