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Subject:Transcription of Commentary Ito Chuta Sketch 445
Posted By: Irwin Tue, Apr 28, 2026 IP: 174.127.209.134

This sketch by Ito Chuta titled "Mei Lanfang Arrives" relates to the April 1919 arrival of the Beijing opera star, the female impersonator (onnagata), Mei Lanfang in Tokyo for seventeen sold out performances. The commentary I need your assistance with is by Fukuchi Nobuyo 福地信世, a fan of Chinese Theater and a geologist. I particularly need your assistance with the first five lines that appear to be signed 梅蘭芳書 (written by Mei Lanfang). The sixth line appears to read 似此天花從何而來 followed by Fukuchi Nobuyo's signature 福地信世. With thanks, as always.



Subject:Re: Transcription of Commentary Ito Chuta Sketch 445
Posted By: I.Nagy Wed, Apr 29, 2026

衆生眼病見狂華
發華殘病轉加悟
得華鬘非我相不
妨遊戲浄名家
梅蘭芳書

似此天花從何而來
福地信世

All beings, blinded by illusion , see only madness in the flowers; as they bloom and fade, their affliction worsens . Realizing the garland is not their true self , they might as well play among the masters
Written by Mei Lanfang

Whence does such a celestial flower come from
Fukuchi Nobuyo

I looked it up on Chinese-language websites and found that the text of the inscription is taken from the Peking Opera titled "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers"

Regards,
I.Nagy


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