The morning times., 1896-02-23
JHPHNKSE
LIYYLE
FOLKS.
They Study Hard, but Have
Lots of Fun.

Among the happiest and most interesting
children on the face OF the earth are those
found in the empire of the Mkado. And
not the least interesting are the least in size
of his majesty subjects-the babies.
Both boy and girl babies have their heads
shaven week after birth, ana this opera
ton is frequently repeated during the early
period OF their existence. Il few stray
wisps and tufts are allowed to flourish.
however, which relieve the heads from total
badness. Little girls OF years old AMI
Older have their tresscs caught up and ar
ranged in ridiculous twists ana quirls On
the top or back OF the head.
The first important event Of Baby Jap's
life is celebration which takes place on
the thirtieth day after birth, when the lite
one is carried to some temple and placed
under the protecting care Of its patron saint
Baby goes in state, accompanied by the
entire family. At the entrance Of the TEN
pie they all remove their footgear, and,
passing sOlemnIy within. they make an offer
ing to the chosen deity.
The japanese baby has no wheeled car
rage in which to take his daily outings.
When he goes for anairing, he is strapped TO
the back OF mis- brother or sister.
The little Jap begins to attend school az
3 or s years OF age. The schoOIhOuse is a
one-story building, made of wood and per,
as are all the japanese houses.
II would frighten an American boy or
girl to think OF the number, OF characters
these almond-eyed
Have Many Let youngsters mUstlearn
tiers to Learn to pronounce and
write. in order to read
the most ordinary books. There are from
5000 to 10000 in constant use, and many
more which are used by the highly edu-
Gated.
The little Japs use brush 10 write with.
The japanese boys and girls have plenty
Of recreation outside OF school hours.
Tney are as fond OF games as our own
little folks, but they study hard when In
school.
The girls have their dolls. doll houses.
and toy kitchen utensils.
At the beginning OF the new wear bail
playing battIedOre, and shuttleeock are In
high favor with both boys and girls, and
they are also fond of playing with bean
bags.
Then. there are fascinating toys OF dried
pith. which on being dropped into hot
water or tea develop iuto marvellous flow
ers and figures.
Kue-nyiug is the boys special amuse-
nient.
They have several festivals for children,
! but the most interesting are; The dol
festival, observed on the third day of the
third month. This
lay is devoted to the 1t Il the
girls, large and small Dolls Holiday
and is a great occasion
for the purchase and display Of dolls. Tue
| houses are deeked with flowers, cakes
and confections prepared in advance are
set out on toy tables and new robes and
girdles are donned for this gaia day
Goseku. or the fifth day of the fifth
month. is the boys festival This day IS
devoted TO the celebration OF the festival
Of the god OF war. Toy arrnor, swords.
and dolls in fighting costume represent
ing ancient heroes are on exhibition in
| side the houses.
II must not be supposed that their life
is Que round OF pleasure. In the winter
| especially, they have 10 endure many hard
! ships. Japanese houses being made OF
wood and paper, OF course stoves or ranges
are out of the question, and The only means
of heating the rooms is by small braziers
with a few pieces of charcoal Consequently
the rooms are cold, aud as shoes like ours
| are not worn, the feet being covered with
| cotton socks, or often bare, 1t may readily
be imagined the poor, little creatures are
uncomfortably cold Bat they are cheerful
| little folks, not given TO complaining