Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-02
IN IN JAPAN AND RUSSIA
How Easter is Celebrated in
the Two Countries.
A STRIKING CONTRAST
IN ONE IT rs THE CHERRY BIOS
SOM FESTIVAL.
While in the Other Religious Sentiment
Plays the Principal Part
Music and Feastine.
A STRIKING CONTRAST
Written for The Evening Star.

written Tor Inc evening Star.
There is an homogeneous mixture of
mourning and festivity In the two eastern
countries which are occupying the atten-
ton of the world. Both Japan and Russia,
engaged in deadly conflict, are today deep
ly engrossed-Japan in the actual festivities,
and Russia in the preparations which well
come the Eastertide.
By reaching Japan just at the beginning
Of spring you will find yourself in the
midst Of the native Easter season, which,
in reality, is the cherry blossom festival;
because It comes at the time that Easter
is celebrated in the western countries, 1t
Is given that name.
Two weeks afterward the great feast is
being kept in Russia. not, however. with
flowers, as in the mikadoss kingdom, but
with vodka, the inspiration and curse Of the
Russian soldier and peasant.
During Eastertide there will be no indica-
ton in either country of the war cloud that
will breathe only the joyousness of the
season.
Nowhere else in the world outside these
two nations is the feast of the Resurrec-
ton of Christ observed with such elaborate
decorations and ceremonies, and yet. In
spite of this fact and of their comparatively
close proximity, nothing could be more diff
ferent than the ways in which the two keep
Easter.
A Dazzling Sight.
The dawn of Easter in Japan is a daz-
cling and fascinating sight even to an
American, used as he is to the great dis
pay of flowers and bright and dainty cos
tunes that come out on that day in all
the cities in the United States to welcome
the season.
The japanese are like a lot of happy
school children let out to play, happy in
their religious flower festival None of
he church ceremonies have any part in
heir celebration, and although the cherry
festival commentaries the resurrection, it
is the resurrection of the fruits and flowers
a--er six months of death-a truly pagan
fete.
Ill Japan rejoices; the children have a
day set apart for their special delectation
and the grown people do little but seek to
make the young people happy. Along the
roadways, inch deep with fallen cherry
petale, the children draw immense movable
temples. Sometimes more than hundred
little girls dressed in gorgeous hues, are in
line, pulling on the ropes attached to these
Carrots, on which the boys, dressed in
blue and white togas, ride and play on their
musical instruments, while the cleverest of
their number, In masked faces, render reli-
g.ous dramas on the elevated platform In
front of the chariot vi
The streets are choked with thousands
witnessing these professions. and as the
chariot and the children pass down car
peted avenue Of cherry trees and the gentle
spring breeze blows, a constant shower of
pink perfumed snow falls from the cherry
trees and everything becomes yhazy in the
enhancing mist of pink snowstorm of
soft petals. All nature seems to take part
in this Easter festival Of the Japanese
children. ~ o. ~
Cherry-Blossom Sunday.
Cherry blossom Sunday at Uyeno Park
in Tokyo is one of the prettiest sights in
all Japan. The avenue Of cherry trees going
up from the town forms an exquisite arch
of pink boughs, under which the people
t..rong purely on pleasure bent.
The tea houses have spread their best red
blankets on the matted platforms, which
serve for seat and table. Carriages and
jinrikishas roll by, their occupants dressed
in their best. the women in exquisitely deli
cate crepes. because 1t is the time of spring
and flowers. and the light and dainty colors
are most appropriate. Under the trees are
iight-hearted picnic parties seated on their
blankets. and lunching on rice sandwiches.
group OF young men, each carrying a
branch OF cherry blossoms on his shoulder,
and at his belt a saki bottle come strolling
gaily along. stopping at the wine shops on
their way to have their bottles filled and
re1lled, until they are gloriously drunk
when they will be quickly and quietly de-
spatched in kurumas to their several homes
restraint Is thrown aside during cherry
tlne, ana at Mukojima where a double
avenue of cherry trees, the most magnifi-
cent display of these lovely blossoms in
Iokyo, stretches along the far bank of the
Sumlda river beside the road. the widest
carnlVai reiens. Mummers In all sorts of
fantastic costumes, in which red and white.
the colors of spring and happiness predomi-
nate, dance in and out among the tea houses
ina 1nat stand along the bank under the trees.
Inc river is gay with rooted pleasure boats.
and the sound of the geishas samisen is
added to the general clan or Of rejoicing and
merrymaking.
In Striking Contrast.
The festival which welcomes Easter two
weeks later In Russia is. in contrast with
that Of the Japs. decidedly tawdry and
heavy, but to the people of the country it
is the most brilliant and joyous time of the
whole year.
After existing for seven long weeks on
bitter salads and mushroom broth. the Rus
sian penitent greets Easter with an enthu-
sasm that Is not feigned After Lent is
passed the reaction at the coming of Easter
tide is like the Transformation scene In the
pantomime from sadness and want to toy
and plenty.
Right up to Easter eve the penitence and
prayer have lasted, but soon the half-stary-
ed people commence to show signs of MAX
cry imaginable article for Easter spring I'D
as II by magic along the broad spacious
thoroughfares. The bazaars all are open
and ablaZe with light.
There is more business transacted within
few hours than has been done for an en-
tire week. Every one is buying, and buying
In large quantities. Those who are too poor
to purchase will not go without. The purse
strings of the rich are let loose at this sea-
son. and one learns how really generous the
rich Russian can be to his poorer neighbor.
Two Necessities.
Every household must have two things.
whatever else it may lack. >. One Is the
Easter pig. the other is the Easter tree
an institution similar to that of the occi-
dental Christmas. small fir sapling dec
GRATED with paper angels, fruits, artificial
flowers and birds. sweets and toys.
But with all this plenty around. the fast
must not be broken until Easter morning,
Sd when all the preparations are made, the
tired and hungry fasters retire to bed,
while the bells ring cheerily from the
mosques. under the light of the Easter.
moon.
Many there are. however, who do not go
to bed at all on Easter eve. There are the
young and strong or the exceptionally de-
vout. who attend the midnight mass, which
lasts until o'clock Easter morning. There,
as Easter morn breaks. the glorious Easter
hymn Is sung-as 1t is in every other Chris
tan church over the world, Christ the