New-York tribune., 1900-01-03
JAPANESE NEW YEAR TINE
THE EXERCISES \ MIXTURE OF RE-
LIGION. BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.
MISS IRENE MANN TELLS AMERICA OF THE
QUAINT NEW TEARS CUSTOMS AND
DESCRIBES THE MANNER OF

The japanese New Year Is the most curious
mixture possible Of religion and pleasure. business
and sentiment, tips and masqueradIng," writes
Miss Irene Mann. now in Aomort. Japan
II belongs 70 the same family as the Chinese
New Year. and until Japan brought herself up 70
date IL used 70 be celebrated the period; II
now comedies with the Western New Year. and is
gradually acquiring European features
II has adopted the French and American rr,=-or,
Of New Year visits. and gets I'D a brave show OF
New Year toys and gifts. Besides this. II has its
offciaI receptions, initiating those given AZ the
V-aita House
Every good japanese begins the year with =
family meal L consists Of certain dishes and
only one liquor is admissible saki (rice whiskeyj.
For days before New Years the provision si1o2x
are crowded with customers. 70 whom the little
wooden luncheon boxes cannot be handed out fast
enough. To the family meal every man must bring
a good conscience and clean ledger He must
have settled up all the last years accounts paid
al his debts taken everything out Of pawn and he
must be prepared 10 make fresh start financially.
He must also have performed all the religious
duties Of the season. HIS prayer papers should be
secured from the priest and liberal tithe paid for
them. Besides this suitable offerings should have
been made al the household shrine
After breaking bread and drinking sak ki with his
family ne has remember the claims OF his
friends II he he Of the court ne has 70 pay his
first visit Of the year the Imperial Palace where
the Emperor always holds New Years reception.
Il he De official he has 70 pay MS respects to
his immediate sUperiors and 50 on all through the
hierarchy II he be priest ne has special New
Year services TO hold. beginning midnight and
Should he D. rradesIa2u he must wait on mis-
PEElnclpaa customers ana with many salaarns and
patrons are bound 70 receive hin c5GrteolsIg and
70 entertain him accordi{g prescribed code Of
hospitality
NEW YEAR VISITS
The New Year visits in japanese society hare
ceremonial code Of such frtrtcacy that 1t takes
years 70 learn This study one OF the recognized
branches OF school education and covers everything
from nov-ing 10 acquaintance on the street up
70 presentation al court The higher ceremonials,
such as tea drinking. require 9 special course OF
training and II Toxic women Of blue blood make
z handsome living BY teaching IT,
something Of etiquette. for prescribed bow is
CURED 1S them by me policeman on The beat. and
more respectful one st+l BY the inspector.
Even gLl4es. VINO have come 10 regard them
clutches of New Year ceremonial: they cease to be
guides on sew 4eaEs Day, and become pure
seInbie az their headquarters in Yokohama and in
their best japanese robes set out 70 make q round
OF the hotels ! eaca hotel they have TO offer
present 70 the manager and ne provides his best
champagne for them l4ar they may drink with
the hotels in Yokohama they must 20 10 Toxic,
and make a similar round there.
The -rnlnnerz.' OF Christmas waits are abroad
they can stand up Their elaborate programme ex-
The OK headed mask IS turned TO al manner Of
uses Boys wear Il on the street while begging
OF tragedy We DO not know
Il q grand effect produced night in q
KioIo theatre last New Years by the entrance Of
a pantOmime elephant IN blue velvet skin and red
slippers. II had one for the fore legs and
other for the hind legs. in proper pantomtrne
fashion. There is vital difference. however, be-
tween the NewYo ork and KiOtO Ideas Of panto-
mime; the Japanese take theirs very seriously
In one respect the Japanese New Year has
distinct advantage over ours-it lasts much longer
Native authorities say il does not really finish TIL
the 18th Anyhow there IS little work done by any
class IN Japan during the first fortnight OF Janu-
arv DIV which time al New Year calls have 0een
returned all presents exchanged and life settles
down its ordinary routine