Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-03
THE BIRTHDAY OF JOSS
Chinese Celebration an San Francisco.

Il CH1neSS OetOOTUttOIS tb C~fc Il '~seNe"NO'
[San Francisco Chronicle.
There was a scene of hustle in and about
the Kong Chow asylum, on Pine street, all
day yesterday, occasioned by the prepare
tions for the celebration of the birthday of
Joss. which is observed once every three
years with great festiv tiles. That it was a
festival of some moment was easily seen
by the holiday attire of the hundreds of
visitors who thronged the building long
before the preparations were completed.
In every conceivable nook and cor
ner, from every part of the cell
ing. and all over the walls are sus-
pended curious Chinese works of art and
gigantic figures. Guarding the entrance
are two famous Chinese warriors of colos-
sal proportions, decorated in the most fan
tastic fashion; and, given the place of
honor, adjoining these are various other
figures, of life size, after which came mini
allure puppets. Suspended from the cell
ing of the rooms of the ground floor are a
dozen boxes, similar to miniature theaters,
which are packed with figures, each rep
resenting some honored king, queen, war
rior, or courier, and each box picturing
some historical scene or other. All the fig
ures are dressed with the greatest possible
exactness and worked with undoubted
skill.
Between these are suspended magnifi-
cent chandeliers, one of which is fac
smile Of the grand chandelier at the i'm
perial palace at Picking. The walls of one
room are completely covered with small
posters announcing the value of the con-
tributions made by the various Chinese,
some of the gifts reaching hundreds in
amount. Among the other curiosities dis
played in this room is dwarf pine, eigh-
teen inches in height, but as perfect in ev-
cry way as the largest pines in our own
state. 1t has only just been received,
| among other curiosities here exhibited,
from Japan. Ascending a short fight of
stairs the visitors find themselves in the
Chinese temple, decked out with al the
gaudiness Mongolian's genius is capable
Of, the air filled with the fumes of
burning punk and incense. Here is the
throne of the almighty Joss, in whose hon
or the festivities are given. His tables are
decked with eatables, and looking down
upon him from the walls are pictures of
famous Chinese whose bones have been
gathered to their ancestors. Each China
man, on entering, places himself in front
of Joss, and, without removing his hat or
any other preparation, docs homage by a
low bow and swiftly raising his hands to
his bowed head With that his devotion
ends, and he mingles with his chattering
companions, evidently unmoved by the
presence of the god whom he worships.
There is another temple in the building,
but lacking the gaudiness which marks
this one.
| The festivities, which are to last five
| days and nights, were opened at 5 O'Clock
by service in the temple. Kneeling down
before the throne of JOSS were three
priests, one of whom was robed in a sur
plice of red and gold, who shouted in a
sing-song manner for half an hour, his
companions meanwhile bowling to the
ground at short intervals. The solemnity
of the occasion was much marred, however;
by the continual yelling going on all about
the room, while the priests themselves
would give vent to their Indignation at
the mistakes of the workmen COM
pleting the preparations by shout
ing Justify at them, and then fall
! back into a reverie over their de-
votions. Suddenly an instrument, resem-
bling in tone bagpipe,was played by one
of the attendants, followed instantly by
beating of tomtoms and ringing of the bell
until the noise became overpowering. At
ter it had ceased, the priest commenced
his singing, followed by more music.
A few more ceremonies were gone through
with, and the festivities were opened.
It is the custom during this celebration
to feed all who apply, and great prepara-
tions had been made for the feast. Three
years ago 10000 persons were fed each
day, and it d expected that this year the
number will be equally US large. Eating
was commenced almost Immediately after
the opening of the festivities.