Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-12-31
NEW YEARS IN TOXIC.
Described by a Japanese Now in This
Country

Described by Japanese Now in This
Country.
''Newyear's day" in Japan is a great
day. observed with ancient rites and a
spirit of joyfulness. Children await the
day with excitement, anticipating all
the favorite amusements and eatables
GroWnup people busy themselves in
having new costumes ready, clean ne
and decorating their houses, and pur
chasing necessary articles for the Gel
ebration OF the day. Many thoughtful
minds at the same time silently look
forward to this occasion as a good
starting point for better, Worthier life
casting their rong-dOings away W til
the old year. To the Japanese New
years day has spiritual as well as
material significance.
No day in an entire year ever seems
to dawn like the first one of a new
year Over the whole city, which has
been scene of hurry and rush uni /
a few hours before. peace and stiffness
spread their invisible wings. The
cocks crow and the dogs bark as
they usher in the newborn day, sound
afar off and subdued, suggestive of
peace in the minds of the people
Though the sun is not yet risen, the
purple streaks of cloud in the east
are fringed with flaming amber color
promising fine day. The roads are
thinly overlaid with frost, as if for or
nament; the cold wind, passing along
the caves. softly rustles the New
years decorations as if to rouse the
slumberers from their calm repose.
The earl'ess r.sers on this occasion
are. as on other days. the older folk
After bathing with clear, ice-cold water
newly drawn from a well, they face
toward the east either in their own
yards, or on the top Of some neighbor-
ing hill and worship the first rising
sun of the year. Many venture out IN
he earliest morning to the shrines Of
certain gods located in the so-called
blessed direction special to that year
and return with "Mayudama," or
branches Of willow, on which are hung
art fetal coins and red and white cake
balls.
BY the time these "old-custom low
irg' people come back. all the rest Of
the household are arisen. Dressed in
their best clothes, each meets the other
with a beaming face and New-year's
greetings. No sweeping or busting is
done on this DAY; but every room is in
good order. ornamented with hangings,
pictures and flowers, suitable for the
occasion.
The whole household then gathers
in the dining-rocm for breakfast. Be
fore each ind'vd dual is set square
lacquered table on which wooden
bowl and two or three wooden dishes
are placed. These articles are lac
quered in red and black and ornament
ed with tiny pictures Of pines, storks
and bamboo leaves-signs of longev-
ity and happiness-they are used as
reminders Of the old days of simplicity,
when there was no porcelain ware.
The head Of the family takes up a red
wooden wine cup and drinks toasts to
the emperor and to his family; then
the cup is passed in order Of age to
other members, who taste the "spiced
wine" prepared only for use at New
years time. The drinking ceremony
ended, breakfast begins. The CHIEF
course Is soup, made OF baked rice
cakes, radishes, carrots, greens and po.
tatoes. Other eatables, whether of
fish or vegetables, are all prepared
according to old customs, and are more