The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-08-17

women more than children: there
could not be more entertaining
reading than an recount of the curious
Juvenile customs Of the Japanese"
After all. the babies OF this country
really are It's main attraction. The
cherry blossoms appear nj lines and
The temples may be seen I'm places. but
the youngsters are everywhere on all
occasions. what delights the tourist
more han the hosts OF gafly attired
tots. who. no matter where he may
come upon them, seem always ter be
grouped In unconscious grace as "
posing for a picture.
The Japanese have a queer way OF
reckoning the age OF their young. As
Don as n baby IL born II IL said tn be
n year old. II N regarded as such un-
al Its FIRST anniversary. when IL be-
comes 2 years old. this deception con-
tinuing throughout it's life. American
women beginning TO mellow with q
would doubtless look with disfavof
UPON III custom OF asserting TO nm
extra year-it even being charged that
some OF them deliberately shorten their
lives by d~iscarding a few years now
and then-but here I'm Japan where
time does not seem To lay heavy upon
anyone. there In no disadvantage 10 the
individual because the deceit Is univer-
sui. lHtm ouu VNtNAttN 0thbttN8s -
It's origin la the Oriental habit OF add
Ing one for every fraction. When you
stop TO consider the matter seriously
IL really IN quite an economy In book
keeping TO credit yourself with a year
rather han 10 bother with tribes like
months and days.
The National Birthday.
Some OF the japanese parents reckon
the age OF their male children from h
frst national birthday occurring after
their advent. This general anniversary
for boys r. another custom distinctly
Japanese. Instead OF ach boy being
permitted 20 celebrate In his own way
on the actual day OF his birth. he must
needs deny himself the pleasure OF an
Individual demonstration and make
common Joy with the throng on n
NTH day OF the fftA month. Should his
FIRST glimpse OF h world chance TO
,ccur on this particular day. he 10 just
in time TO celebrate. but if he misses
this day by n few days or weeks or
months, he has TO worry along until the
next annual. when he can ratify TO his
hearts content In company with all his
fellows. II this restrictive idea. tend
ing as Il does TO the concentration OF
eelebrative inclination. should spread
20 the United States and be applied TO
that portion OF our population which
cans 10 convivial indulgence, there
would be an outburst OF much pentup
enthusiasm when, on the morning or
he annual American drinking day, h
band begins to play 'Thcreu be a Hot
Time In the Old Town Tonight"
on the morning OF the boys birthday
IN Japan a tall pole Is mounted In front
pf each home wherein q male child has
been born during the year. The top OF
his pole In ornamented by a fancy
piece OF basket work. In addition TO
his wicker ball there In suspended. I'm
The same n that a flag stan, a
nrge paper or cloth fish. This ngure
n symbolic. IL represents the carp
which has the strength and endurance
20 contend against the current OF the
stream for mani years. BY the same
sign the boy In TO become sturdy I'M
lo~ng-nved. An iron ring or wooden
hook is placed I'm the mouth OF the Ash
20 that the air can fll IL. As the breeze
plays with u the motion In as natural
~ III Il were alive and swimming In the
water. IL there are a number of boys
In n family a flsh Is added 10 the string
for every one. In some places the a
are so numerous that the air In bril-
liant with a whole school OF immense
dying carp.
Future Defenders Of tas Flag.
At this time the toy stores do n
thriving business. the miniatures OF
soldiers and wrcstlers being IN great
demand. Spears. guns. fiags and all
the equipments or warriors and men or
strength are represented In the play
things. so that the little mes may have
early object lessons TO stimulate their
spirit OF ardor and conquest. Older
children flock 20 parties. picnics n
festivals. The streets are bright with
color as the many juvenile parades
pass through them. The little lnarchers
are equipped with caps and sashes and
some OF them carry banners. The ma
tlona!. martial spirit II shown In the
military makeup OF the boys. the
parks being the scene OF drills by many
companies OF small troops. They exc
cute their ~eyolutlons with M accuracy
that would do credit to real soldiers.
IL Japan IN TO wage many wars as
costly ns the present one, these little
fighters are learning the way OF The
bloody game none too o
During the feast OF dolls. which oc-
curs the first week In March. he little
Japanese girls have their holiday. IL In
at this period that the entire family
takes n recess and gives itself over to
pleasure. All don their best attire and
hospitality Ii dispensed right and left.
The family treasures are brought forth
and exhibited. particularly the dolls OF
mothers ana grandmothers. which are
kept in mysterious hiding ut all other
times. In many OF these collections are
tiny figures OF the emperor. empress
and lessey personaEes OF the nobility,
all dressed Accurately and extensively.
II r. etiquette to arrange these images
In the order OF their rank and spread
repasts before them. Food and drink
Are arranged on exquisite little lacquer
tables with top dishes and furnishings.
Among the wealthy classes these play
things often represent great intrinsic
value. n they are treasured TAR more
highly because they have been the
property OF other generations. The
family whose fortunes have been de-
pleted will dispense with everything II
possesses before II win part with It's
stock OF manlkins.
Boys Are Liked Best.
Japanese boys are thought more OF
by their parents han girls because the
Oriental man holds himself superior to
woman. This shows itself I'm many
ways. II a husband and wife are walk
rhg in the street, the man gees I'm front
and IL there are bundles TO carry the
woman looks after them. A few days
ago I sat down TO dinner with two
American girls at a hotel In a country
village. The Japanese waitress was
very particular to give me the largest
piece OF meat and the best looking
apple-not hat she sized me up as be-
ing n hearty eater, but because / was a