|
Sword swallowing is an ancient skill in which the performer passes a sword through the mouth and down the esophagus to the stomach. This feat is not swallowing in the traditional sense; the natural processes that constitute swallowing do not take place, but are repressed in order to keep the passage from the mouth to the stomach open for the sword. The practice is dangerous and there is risk of injury. ==History== Originating in south India before 2000 BC, swallowing has a long and varied history. During its early history it was used as a demonstration of divine union and power. Sword swallowing spread to Greece and Rome in the 1st century AD and to China in the 8th century. In Japan, it became a part of the Japanese acrobatic theatre, Sangaku, which included fire eating, tightrope walking, juggling and early illusion. In Europe it developed into yet a third distinct type of performance associated with the medieval jongleurs, that of the street performance. Sword swallowing was performed during the Middle Ages as part of street theatre and was popular at festivals and other large gatherings. It began to die out in the mid-19th century, and was outlawed in Scandinavia in 1893. This was due to a declining interest in street and festival theatre and a growing interest on the part of audiences in more "sophisticated" and "proper" theatre. According to an early-19th century English magazine article 〔() 'Jugglers in India, from a late narrative', quoted in ''Select Reviews and Spirit of Foreign Magazines'', ed. Enos Bronson, Philadelphia, 1810: p.124〕 the abilities of sword-swallowers in India were considered incredible when first reported in England. In 1813 'swallowing the sword' was advertised as among the new and astonishing feats 〔'The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted the attention of the public beyond any thing that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.' ''The Times''(London, England), 27 July 1813, p.2〕〔'The Indian Jugglers surprised the town by swallowing a sword...' ''The Times'',(London, England), 30 September 1820, p.3〕 performed by the Indian Jugglers then appearing in London. The troupe was led by the famous juggler and sword swallower Ramo Sammee, who continued to perform until his death in London in August 1850, having at times also toured Europe and America.〔Article from the ''Salem Gazette'', 5 October 1819〕 From 1850 to the 1890s a small number of sword swallowers performed in the UK, such as Martha Mitchell (c 1855) and Benedetti (1863–95), and in the US, including Lawson Peck (c 1850s), Ling Look (c 1872), Wandana (died May 9, 1875), and Harry Parsons (died December 1880). The best-known North American sword swallower of this time was Fred McLone, better known to the public as "Chevalier Cliquot", who performed from 1878 to the early 20th century. In 1893 sword swallowing was featured at the World Columbian Exposition at the Chicago World's Fair. In the early 1900s traveling circuses and sideshows were the dominant venue for sword swallowers. It became competitive. In Europe performers tried to swallow large numbers of swords; in America there was a focus on the novel and bizarre. Some tried to swallow longer swords, many swords, hot swords, bayonets or glowing neon tubes. Sword swallowers appeared on the same bill as magicians such as Houdini. Western Europe and England also saw an increase in sword swallowing interest during this period, with many cross-Atlantic influences. During the late 19th century and early 20th century traveling magic shows from the Orient toured Europe and America; some included sword swallowing The middle of the 20th century saw a demise in circuses in general and sideshows in particular. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sword swallowing」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|