Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-07-04
japanese Children.

Of all the charming surprises that await
the globe trotting traveller in Japan, the
quaintest, the most picturesque, the most
captivating will be found in the by
streets, where, the little kimonoed chill
dren romp and play as children must all
the world over. Here we find them play
ing games varying but little from those
we see in our streets at home-battledor
and shuttlecock, bounce ball, hop scotch,
etc. The games are familiar enough
But the children! Nothing short of actual
acquaintance can convey any correct idea
of the charm attached to them.
No doubt at first much of this charm is
connected with their picturesque cos.
tune with the variety of coloring in their
fyaway kimonos and broad obis or
sashes, and it may, perhaps, lie in the
fact-and it strikes one humorously at
first-that each child is in appearance
miniature adult; for, with the trifing
exception of the broad tucks at the shoul-
ders, its dress is the same as that of
grown person. And it is odd and de.
lightfully quaint to see these chubby lit
tie men and women, many with still
smaller and chubbier samples of human
ity on their backs, frolicking in the hearty
enjoyment of children's fun.
But there is also charm in the little
creatures themselves, apart from their
butterfly sleeves and little pitter patter
clogs; their plump cheeks show a ruddy
glow beneath the olive skin-a striking
contrast to the sallow Chinese. Their
mouths are almost invariably well shaped,
often exaggerating the admired Cupid's
bow, and their flashing black eyes, spark
ling under the peculiarly sharp fold of
the upper lid, give delicious piquancy
to the baby face. The masses of black
hair are often elaborately arranged, and
ornamented with wisps of spangled
colored crepe and sprigs of artificial
flowers, when they adorn the heads Of
little girls; while the boys are either
shaved as fancifully as any poodle, or
trimmed to something like a mop. Their
little faces are brimming over with fun
and good temper. The Japanese are said
to be the most childish of the human
race. l am sure the Japanese boys and
girls are the most childlike of all children;
and how surprisingly good they are!
Naughtiness is almost unknown. | have
spent hours watching them in the streets,
in school, at work, or at play, and very
rarely have 1 seen quarrel. Some dis
sension may arise, and for a moment one
expects chubby fists to come in contact
with chubby heads; but an innate sense
of humor is with them stronger passion
than pugnacity, and the threatening
thunder clouds burst in rain of laughter.
By what golden spell do the Japanese
parents control their children? By what
magic do they command the willing
obedience which is notable Characters
tic in these little people? Certainly not
by coercion nor by punishment. I have
been stunning" for over year in all
parts of Japan, and never once have I
seen a child slapped or shaken, and
have been told by European teachers in
native schools that punishments are very
rare and discipline very easy to main
tain.
Rapidly, cheap German clothing is
driving away the classic kimono. I'M
ported boots are cramping the little toes
which through generations have known
no further constraint than the padded
cords of sandle or clog. And, worse
than all, the little round heads, which
for thousands of years have required
only an oiled paper parasol to protect
them from sunshine and shower, are now
thrust into every variety of European
cap and hat, from the hard felt "bowler"
to the unadorned straw shape. .-ICentury.