The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-15

TWO out-of-doOrS tourS-de-fOrces for child
rem are the tenno matsuri no asobi-play-
ing at the feast of Tenno, the Japanese
Neptune. and the bon matsuri, or Feast of
the Dead. In the former the four biggest
boys land Japanese can carry astonishing
weights for their size) carry big tub (taro)
from the Palace of the God, and others
carry lions made of basket-work (shlshi),
and huge square paper lanterns, on
covered with marvellous dragons and such
.swildfowl." This is one Of the summer
festivals, taking place in June. But the
bon matsuri, the festival of the dead
ancestors, in July, is the most picturesque
thing of the year, for not only do the
streets with fans and banners and paper
lanterns, chanting. but most great cities
have some special form of celebrating it,
For instance. at Nagasaki, whole fleets
of straw boats, with food and light on
board each, are launched in the harbor on
the last night Of the festival; and at Kyoto,
surrounding hills in the shape of charac-
tiers which spell certain words.
So much for the most important of their
games.
Two days in the year are specially set
apart for children-March for girls, May
for boys.
OF the hina matsuri feast of dolls), DR..
Griffis says: For several days before the
matsuri the shops are gay with the images
bought for this occasion, and which are on
sale only at this time of the year. Every
respectable family has number of these
splendidly-dressed images, which are from
four inches to a foot in height, and which
accumulate from generation to generation.
When daughter is born In the house dur
ing the previous year, pair Of hina or
images are purchased for the little girl,
which she plays with until grown up.
When she is married, her nina are taken
with her to her husbands house, and she
gives them to her children, adding to the
stock as her family increases." Japanese
children can't be much like Ameri-
CAM 1.-The images are made of wood or
enameled clay. They represent the Mikado
and his wife, the Kyolo mobiles and their
wives and daughters, the court MINISTRIES
and various, Personages. in japanese my
Japanese LADY IS chamber, the service of the
eating table, the utensils of the kitchen,
travelling apparatus, ETC., some of which
are very elaborate and costly, are all ex-
hibited and played with on this day. The
girls make offerings of sake, dried rice,
press, mimicking the whole round of
Japanese female life, as that of child,
maiden, wife, mother and grandmother"
The Boys Day (Feast of Flags is on the
festival of Hachiman, the god of war. The
old Japanese were very martial nation,
and the boys effigies were always those of
heroes, generals, soldiers, on foot and
horse, the gods of strength and valor,
wrestlers, and so on. Their toys, too, on
this occasion are the weapons, ETC., of a
Daimio's (feudal prince1 procession, such
as arms, armor, banners and the like. A
complete set is bought for every son; and
for every son born with seven years there
l. 1f<~xv- fyss 1f,x.rA q
outside the house from lofty bamboo
mole. The wind bellies these fish out and
makes them tap their Tins and tails. The
idea is that the carp can swim swiftly
against the current and surmount water
falls there again Japan enjoys monop-
oly). typical of the young mans mounting
over all difficulties to success and quiet
prosperity.
The boys play at Daimio's professions,
or the battles between the Genji and
Heike. 1.-THE Chinese names of the IA
nous rival clans of the Minamoio and
Tairal In these mock battles the player
carries little red (Heike) or white tGen]D
flag. stuck in his back. or an earthenware
helmet stuck on pad on his head. 10
canture the enemies flags, or To break the
earthen discs with bamboo swords, is the
way the game Is played
In modified forms prisoners base, and
most of the time-honored childrens games
of the West, are played
Indoors there are such games as Mawari
noro fastening tiny figures and scenes cut
out of black paper inside lantern, the heat
oStbe lame of which makes them revolve;
Sogo Roku, q sort of backgammon; Juroku
Mnssashi. a sort of fox-and-goose. ana
yarious kinds of card and educational
sra,nes snch as Iroha Garuta taiphabet
seardsl Haiku Min Isshio Garrta tone
aln,f-one- hundred poets cardsl. kokin
car,,s lcame of ancient odesl, Chive No
ir .a nf wisdoml Some of these require
knowledge of the Chinese classics ana
considerable scholarship, so II Is nos sur
rr;s;ng to ind that the most popular OF
rinsn, sii Is that of the "Flfiy-three Post
s s,e,;o a hetwecn Toxic and kycfo. The
ns,,e and picfure of each is given, ana inc
stake deposited on Kyoto. linen 'hss