The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-14
Birds Are Made to Catch Fish ut Midnight Near Gifu for japanese
Epicures-F. W. Luyties Describes the Curious Customs OBJ
served in Japan, Korea and Siberia on Trip Around
the World With Dactor S. c. Martin.
TRIP ON TRANssIBERIaN RAILWAY NOT WORTH THE TRol

I there are good hotels In the city. modelled
after American and European hostelries.
Toxic, the next place We visited. Is about
an hour and a half by train from foko-
hama. 1t is the capital Of Japan and impor,
tant as q manufacturing and commerciai
city. The royal palace and nume TG tenn
ner OF worship Of the Japs was interest
ing to US. Among the most curious ooserv-
Rnces Is that known as spit ball worship.
This consists OF throwing chewed-up pa
per at the images OF the COOS. Iof ne
purpose of attracting attention to me
prayer OF the worshiper. IL the vad sticks
1t Is q signal that The god IS giving his az
tention, and the Jap says his PRAYER anc
departs: Many OF these images are n'e'-
in other temples the faithful attract tbs
attention of the images BY ciappng ther
the dead are cr.msted. and families pay
great respect to the deceased There are
but few horses used in Japan; In tneir
place oxen and coolies are employed.
queer thing Is that over there American
Manufactured condensed milk IL In general
PECULIAR METHOD OF FISHING.
.At Gifu we were entertained with one or
the most curious sights have ever Wiz
messed; This was tns fa%oq: n ai iore ns 10 rs,
late. We went with the natives In open
boats. near midnight in a mountain stream
flaming wood. One OF the fishermen was
near this. He held In his hands strings, 10
which were tied live birds. a species OF
The glare OF the torch attracted the nsh
to the surface OF the water When one OF
the birds sighted a fish. II. would dive after
It. and usually succeeded In ,capturtng ana
swallowing II. When, a duck had swat,
fat with them. the fishermen pulled It into
the boat. Then one OF the men would
dexterously squeeze the ducks peck SO mat
1t would vomit the FISH. still alive. into a
large basket.
and are considered a great deiicacy.. The
Japs eat their fish boiled In a XII OF
soup. and half raw. We encountered tniS
dish. also numerous other japanese dishes.
which we found far from savory.. Ameri-
cans. as a rule. do not take kindly to the
native dishes OF Japan. Nearly everywhere,
however. 1t IS possible to get what one
wants. In going into n japanese restau-
rant IL Is customary TO stop In the Kitchen
and select the viands one desires TO nave
cooked for his meal.
life In Japan was Tsu- Theie we were en-.
tertained by Mr.. Massumata- n native or
the place. who Is 4 graduate Of Yale. We
put up at a native hotel. at which all the
customs of the country were In vogue On
forth to greet us This they did by kneel-
ing and bowling to the ground On enter
ing a man removed our shoes and We were
offered tea by the host
Next we were escorted 70 tne pam,
after which kimonss were given US and we
lounged about until mealtfme- The meal
consisted Of fish soup. rtce. preserves and a
variety OF japanese dishes, all of which
we would nave gladly traded for a good
steak. Tea and sake the native drink.
all the Japs present used chopsticks. We |
all sat on the floor. there being no chairs
or tables IN the establishment
''Our entire stay In Japan was extremely |