The Mikado is said to spend the greatest portion of his time in the society of his wives, who contribute to his amusement by singing, dancing, and theatrical entertainments.  The latter sometimes take place in the open air, as in the scene depicted opposite; on which the ‘Grand Interior’ and a select party are supposed to be looking down through the jalousies of the palace.  The vocal, instrumental, and theatrical talents of the performers, are here called into play, the arena for the latter being the ‘Mekoshee,’ or movable stage, in which a female figure may be noticed declaiming her part.  The long-handled, fantastically-coloured umbrellas, belong to the Imperial attendants taking part in the theatricals, whose hair, it will be noticed, is arranged according to court etiquette.

[Illustration:  A Begging Criminal. (Native Drawing.)]

The men whose features are concealed by their broad hats are ‘Ninsokee,’ or ‘public singers.’  Generally speaking they belong to the aristocratic class, and are reduced to earn their livelihood in this manner in consequence of some misdemeanour, on account of which their property has been forfeited to the state.  Their occupation is in itself a punishment, as Japanese gentlemen never sing, regarding that accomplishment as derogatory to their dignity.  A certain class of criminals also wear a disguise of this nature, as shown in the woodcut.

[Illustration:  Theatrical performance in front of the Mikado’s palace.]

[Illustration:  Ladies of the Mikado’s court performing the butterfly dance.]

The band here represented is much stronger than those that generally figure in Japanese orchestral and theatrical entertainments.  Music is not used, as with us, to fill the interval between the pieces, but accompanies the performers throughout; the louder instruments being energetically struck as the singing becomes impassioned or the actors declamatory.

The butterfly dance is another specimen of the amusements with which the ladies of the Mikado’s court while away their monotonous existence.  As here shown, it is a private performance, of which the Empress and her principal attendants are the only spectators.  The insects are personated by two of her ladies, who mimic their motions and sing praises of the different flowers they pretend to alight upon, to the accompaniment of a band of fair musicians.  But the most interesting part of the affair is a spirited dialogue, in which they cleverly criticise, under floral appellations, the different ladies of the court, in a manner equally gratifying and flattering to their royal mistress.

[Illustration:  Lady waiting on the Mikado. (from Photograph.)]

The Mikado is always waited upon by the ladies of his court, and is said never to eat twice from the same vessels, which are broken to pieces as they are removed.  An intelligent yaconin, however, on being questioned about this point, was much amused; and, though he professed ignorance of the subject, was evidently very sceptical on the matter of the dishes.