The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-11-04
JAPANESE CELEBRATE
THE EMPEROR'S
BIRTHDAY
HONOR THE MIKADO-OFFICIAL
RECEPTIONs-sPORTs AT MAXI
KI THIS AFTERNOON.


By custom, declaration and incina-
ton, the entire japanese colony of Ha-
wall Joined with their compatriots
all over the globe in celebrating the
birthday of their Emperor yesterday.
This is a sacred duty of the children Of
the Chrysanthemum and no contract
convenience or other duty is allowed TO
intervene Many householders yesterday
INDUCED in their annual practice at
practical housekeeping, and the daily
dishes in many families were cooked
and served by the mistresses of the
household in the absence of cook wait
err waitress or yard boy.
After the heavy downpour the sun,
whose counterpart is figured in YER
million discs on the national standard
of Japan, came out bravely as an
aid to celebration much to the re-
joicing of those subjects of the
Emperor who like to enjoy the specta-
Gle of wrestling and fighting or join in
outdoor sports as their share of the
celebration.
This year, the unpaid fire claims and
the general financial depression have
somewhat stinted the desires of many
of the celebrants, but before the day
was out ample evidence was shown of
the desire and ability of the little
brown men to properly appreciate the
day.
One noticeable thing about yester-
days celebration consisted of the fact
that many of the Japanese stores while
Haunting flags and other decorations
in honor of the holiday, kept their doors
and tills open for the nimble dollar.
Whether this was caused by the hard
times necessitating that every oppor-
tunity for increasing the revenues be
taken advantage of or whether the
japanese colony here has become sufIi-
GENTLY AmericaniZed to realize the fact
that holiday time is a good time for
business also, is not yet determined, but
the fact remains.
The celebration, which usually ex-
tends over two or three days. started
to some extent Sunday when the
japanese interested in the Buddhist
church marched to KapiOlani Park at
midday, in procession, and there enter
ed with hearty good will into a pro-
gram of various exercises and sports
The procession was headed by the
members of the Young Mems Buddhist
Association, neatly uniformed in blue
coats and white trousers. With them
went the children of the Buddhist pri-
mary school. All returned in the after
noon on the mule cars with flags way
ing and cheers ringing.
The official program yesterday ran
as follows: In the forenoon Vice-COn-
sui Okabe received all Japanese and
foreigners who wished to tender or eX-
change congratulations. The Terri
torial band played on the consulate
grounds from ten until twelve o'clock.
Theband also played from onethirty
to three on the grounds of the Japan
csc primary school on Nuuanu street
above Vineyard. There, under the aus
pices of the Young Mems Club, an Off
cial ceremony was held at l p. M,
speeches being made by Vice and Act
ing Consul SUBURB Okabe, Rev. C.
Inouye of the Buddhist and Rev. S. o.
kubo of the Japanese Christian church.
The school children of the two Japan
csc schools attended and Witnessed
a program of exercises and sports in
which Japanese fencing matches
We're a particular feature. o. Shioda
was the presiding officer of the
day and many other gentlemen were
impressed into committees on decora-
IlOn ana general matters.
At the Japanese club house on Wal
kiki beach, near the John Ena road, all
those who have served their country
with arms on land and sea and are en-
rolled in the "Gunjin Kai" society,
particularly those who were in the
campaign of the China-Japan war,
celebrated in a reunion.
The society is quite a large one and
its members We're among the most en-
thusiastic of the celebrants, as the
Mikado is the generalissimo of all Jap
an, both of the military and naval
arms, consequently the veterans of the
"Gunjin Kai' feel the occasion dOubly
appropriate.
At Makiki, near the corner of Kinau
and Piikoi streets, in the afternoon
many Japanese gathered to watch
wrestling bouts and feats of agility
and strength by Japanese jugglers and
gymnasts. The most prominent expo
nents of these professions strOve a..
the afternoon to honor the day and
gain the plaudits of the crowd.
In the evening grand reception was
held at the consulate by Consul
and Mrs. Okabe to which some three
invitations had been issued.
This evening sees the close of
planned celebration, though it is safe
to say that many participants of the
pleasures of the holiday will not return
to their regular duties until Wednes-
day is a thing of the past. This
evening a reception and elaborate sup
per in honor of the birthday will be
given by the Japanese Merchants Uni
on of Honolulu at "Mochizuki," the
former residence of John Ena, at Wal
kiki. To this a number of American
and European residents who have some
connection with the Union have been
invited.