The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-02-04
JAPAN's RED LETTER DAY.
New Years In the FlOwery Kingdom
Described by an American.

Described by an American.
New Years day is red letter day
In Japan" said the woman who has
lived in the Flowery Kingdom to the
little circle who sat around the open
crate exchanging experiences of the
week the other day First of all ev-
cry house, large or small, rich or poor,
makes some attempt at decoration. Not
to decorate would be unlucky. Two
pine trees are used, one black, the 9th
er green, symbolizing the male and fe-
male sides Of the house. Deep holes
are dug on each side of the entrance,
in which the trunks are planted, to
signify strength and prosperity.
Boughs Of the graceful bamboo, which
is the emblem Of health and long life,
are twned around their stems. Then
q kind of archway is made by swing
ing from pine to pine an odd looking
rope of dry grass twisted. This is very
carefully hung, for it is supposed to
bar the entrance against evil spirits
that may mediate harm toward the
house or family and bad luck in any
guise Branches Of the Towering
japonica, symbolizing conjugal happi-
ness, health and prosperity, are intro
duced, and seaweed, which signifies
good fortune But most curious of all
are the bits of white paper which are
supposed to prop:tiate the various
Shinto gods and request a continuation
of their favors. The lanterns are in
evitable. at night the effect is bril-
liant-the entire city Of Tokyo tllu-
mined from one end to the other with
thousands of the palest, most exquisite
and artistic lantern ideas that night
ever brought forth.
"The Japanese have good New
Years custom which we might emu
late to advantage-the universal GUS
tom of paying all bills and starting the
new year free from debt. Many and
most strenuous are the efforts Jap
anese man of business or household
er will take to discharge his liabilities.
New Years day is the great time
for visiting, which begins early in the
morning, The mikadO holds recep-
ton, and everybody, from the highest
officials down to the lowest ranks, goes
a-calling Jinrikishas are Whirled from
house to house by their swift footed
human steeds, cards are left, and pres
ents are numerously given. Everybody
wears the eastern approximation to a
Christmas look on his face. What the
gift costs Is not nearly so important
as how it is tied up. japanese etiquette
is very punctilious on this point. The
present must be wrapped in a particu-
lar kind of paper. fastened with par
ticular cord Of red and white paper
rolled in string which must be tied
in peculiar knot. and finally there
must be small symbol Of folded pa
per. Without the latter no present
ever changes hands.
Everybody. Of course, wears the best
garments of which his or her ward
robe boasts The streets are crowded,
ard the children and their fathers and
mothers. too are all out playing at bat
tledoor and shuttlecock and flying kites
with wonderful dragons and gods on
them until the entire street is turned
into playground. young and old swell
ing tie happy throngs and keeping the
meirilnent ng"-Philadelphia Times.
China's ChanEeable New Years.
The Chinese New Years, as is COM
monty known, is the celebration Of the
beginning of the emperor's reign. Ev-
cry year the day of his assumption is
celebrated and Of course each new en-
pcror usl!ers in a new date for the be-
ginning of the year. The Chinese New
Years fails upon Feb. % now, and it is
safe to say that the average American
citizen who has seen the stolid and I'M
communicative Mongolians on the
streets of his city would be a very
greatly surprised man could he witness
the manner in which they celebrate the
incoming year