Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-06-28
"GRowING UP" IN JAPAN.
The Boy. Becomes of Age at Is Years,
and Is Given a New Name.
81 NinhnIas

Inc roy HeconeS OF age AT 10 1earS,
and Is Given New Name
est. Nicholas.}
When he is three years old, he begins
TO Wear the obi. 4 girdle three inches
wide. which confines the kimono Il
loose sort Of garment. and the mai
part of the Japanese national dress for
both children and grown people. The
putting on of the obi is the occasion of
another family feast: and a very i'm
portant garment it is, for it cores
ponds to pockets in an American boy's
first trousers. The front part Of the
kimono, above the obi. is also used as
pocket and the long. white sleeves.
sewed up at the lower end, make two
very big ones.
When fifteen years old. the boy be-
comes of age, and a third family oc-
ours. Another name is given him, and
his hair is allowed to grow all over his
head, like Il mans. Previous to this
time the head is shaved SO as to allow
the hair to grow only in spots or tufts,
the place of the tufts varying UP to the
age of ten, when the crown only is
shaved. At this festival celebrating his
majority the manner Of friends and rel
atives changes toward him, and While
the day before he was still addressed in
the ceremonious forms required by
Japanese etiquette. The title of respect.
san, is henceforth affixed to his name,
even by those nearest and dearest.
These titles. san, sama, always follow
the name. and are never pertiXed as
with our Mr." For example. boy
whose name is Kiyoshi viii be called
kiyoshi-san. In his responses to the
kind speeches made 10 him. the boy
shows that he understands the new
honors that have come upon him. and
that he is now ready to apply himself
to the serious business of life.
i used to be great thing TO be born
q Samurai (Sah- moo-rD boy baby in
Japan. The samurai were soldiers and
scholars. and were entirely apart from
and above the ordinary people. They
could not engage in any business, nol
could they marry into another class
This has all been changed since the
Japanese revolution of lSG7-6S. The
people are now divided into two large
classes-the heimin (ha-meen, or com
moners). the shiZoku (shee-zo-koo. OF
gentry)-and all have equal rights under
the law. The average boys success ir
life depends upon his own abilities. and
! may have.
The first thing the samurai baby
| needed after he was put in rs nurses
arms was a sword. Rather queer
| thing for a baby to have. but then this
baby was a samurai! No matter if the
| tiny hand could not grasp the handle
his nurse carried it for him: and whe!
| the obi became a part of his dress. the
| sword was fastened to it and hung by
| his side TO be sure. it was a woodeI
| sword. but what Of that? 1t was The
| badge of his rank. and must go wher
| ever he did all day long, and when h,
| went to bed it was laid close by. THE
sword is the soul of the samurai'' is a!
| old japanese saying, and it was thu:
| early fastened to his side, that h,
might become used to grasping it from
infancy.
When our young samurai reached tn
| age of seven, it was day of great re
| joicing At the family festival two rea
metal words. were fastened to the obi
one on each side. The edges. however