The San Francisco call., 1901-12-22

TO his adopted father and mother, and
Just before the tale ends he overcomes
the bad giant who lived on a treasure
island. "Monotaro" chopped of the head
Of this monster. who kept his money all
TO himself, took the treasure home, where
he helped many poor people, and where
he was also much loved by horses and
dogs. Whole branches Of these Mono
taros" dangle from the toy stores and
they are nearly always in demand. for
they are visible advice to divide ones
riches and to be kind to animals
The animated teakettle is one Of the
most popular Of Japanese fairy tales.
From this originated that trite saying "a
tempest in a teapot" On many decorated
panels and friezes and in Japanese paint
ings the figure Of this celebrated teaket-
tic is seen with frequency. The story.
boiled down, goes something like this:
Sitting by his fire one night a good
priest living in the temple OF Morinji,
was cooking his supper of rice and tea;
the fire fiickered and the kettle sang mer-
riIy as it hung over the Goals. After the
rice was dispensed and the hearth cleaned
the priest sat warming his hands over
the blaze, when his eyes chanced to fall
on the teakettle and he saw that the
spout looked like badgers nose. Blink
ing his eyes. he looked again, and saw
four hairy legs and a bushy tail Then
this compound Of half-fesh, half-metal
Jumped of the hook. capered about on the
floor, beat tune on his metal body,
scampered over shelves, books, etc, and
made such a commotion generally that
the good priest was frantic. The next day
he sold the kettle to a tinker, who, hav-
ing an original turn, hired press agent
and heralded the news about the land
that he would give a novelty-a grand
teakettle performance.
People through curiosity came from far
and near to see the wonderful kettle.
which walked on the tightrope. danced
iigs and drummed on his body to the de-
light of everybody. The tinker grew rich
and retired, the badger died, but the ket-
tie can be seen to this day, preserved In
one of the temples and the tiny counter
parts Cf it are popular toys with the lit
tie brown men.
But the quaintest of all. and the
most unique custom, is the presentation
of the puppy cats" so named
by Miss Hyde because they resemble both
a puppy and kitten. Not being able to
supply the right name, a compromise was
made and puppy cat it Is, with a dear
little, wise-looking face. These symbols
are supposed to bring good luck, health
and great intellect to the house, and
wherever a home is honored with the
birth of a child friends throughout the
province come with offerings OF puppy
eats. Tiny ones an inch long are sent by
the children. but grave old philosophers
present the animal in its supposedly orig
imaI size-about a foot high.
Then there are the Rete day toys and
New Years gifts. Long bamboo branches
with green and gold, much befeathered
little disks hanging therefrom-are car
rled about from house to house. Some
times the children put on dragon masks
over mischievous looking faces and go
about New Years morning with these Of
ferings Into the house they prance, with
out knock or greeting. jump and caper
about until a rin-abOut a twentieth Of
CENTS offered them. Then they leave =
lucky wand and depart on their way to
the next residence.
On fete days men and women join IN
the most popular game of battledoor and
shuttlecock. Dignifed business men with
their long silk kimonos, little doll-faced
women, looking like gorgeous butterflies
in their violets and yellows, gather on
the lawn and enter into the game with
great enjoyment. AS a forfeit for losing
is a smirch Of black on the face. 1t Is
quite amusing to see an unlucky player
with the cTiss-crosses marring his fea-
lures The battledoors used are elaborate
affairs, most of them being decorated
with symbols of patriotism, old-time war
heroes being most popular.
While in Japan Miss Hyde mastered
the japanese language. that is. enough
of it to carry on conversation, and this
was the cause Of much satisfaction TO
her little maid Togo and the boy Uchi-
yama. ToyO had much poetry in her little
Oriental heart, and when Miss Hyde Of
fered> her a present just before she sailed
for home Togo made a happy reply that
is too pretty to be lost. Going to a little
mirror that had been much used. she
said she salaamed touching her
smooth little forehead to the floor, 1T Is
this that ] prefer for in it has been mir
rored your face which I love and the
faces of your friends whom I admire
So declining the more costly present little
ToyO preferred the one that would bring
her the most tender recolections. II
that is not poetry, it is something far
more rare. One should be tempted to
steal a maid capable of making such a
reply.
Uchiyama also gave proof Of his devo-
ton, for he insisted that the household
goods of Miss Hyde be not sold. Let
us store then,' he requested. But,
said she. lit may be years before re-
turn" However, Uchiyama insisted, say
ing that ten or twenty years might pass
and vet the goods would be safely await
ing her. So, the last vision Of her beau
tiful little home in NiSko is peopled with
the faithful Togo and Uchiyama packing
the mats. jars. stools and dishes which
are to repose peacefully In the ''godown"
CELLAR until she shall return to claim
them