The Washington herald., 1909-01-03
NEW YEARS DAY IN KINGDOM OF JAPAN
Hon the Holiday Celebrated Embassy Washington
the GrownJ Ups by the Children

or the enemy during war tines and z law
was enacted IN Tokyo 20 restrict the size
OF these kites, 80 that the Shogvn's pal
ace could not be Inspected from the city.
The kites come IN variety Of shapes.
birds, with expanded piaions. OgTes. flow
erS, butterflies. 4 favOrite STYLE is q
simple square pointer. with the face OF q
national hero. The lads glue bits OF glass
70 their strings and wage aerial wars The
spells belonging 20 the victor. They are
experts IN plotting their kites, and can
raise them as far as their cords viii reach
without shifting their position more than
yard OF two
The lasses. reinforced by their elders.
gather in bevies 10 play battledore and
shuttlecock. They are powdered perfect
" white, with a bit OF vermiIi0n on their
iTS. Their hair Is brought into bows
and 5-tJeriy shapes. They wear brilliant
heavy giTdles and gay robes. The battle
do-es are handsome. The costliest come
in tortoise shell with purple and red silk
tassels, others are Of wood with backs
richly Ornamented in silk and crepe re-
hefs. depicting the lace Of & belle OF q
hero. or g cluster OF flowers For every
error IN the game a dash OF black ink IS
strOkeG across the powdered face OF the
offender. Ball playing, toe. is a feminine
sport much IN vogue. consisting OF bound
ing the toy Up and down on the ground 10
the number OF loo times or more. with
out stopping.
\ crowning delight Of the day IS the
coming Of the buffoon with his party OF
acrobats on their house-t0-house tour OF
the streets. They are admitted into the
yard and perform unheard-of feats Of
agility. while the family and servants
gather admiTingly in the por-ico. These
youngsters are fed on vinegar. which. by
destroying the lime tissue Of their skele-
tons, renders their bones marveIousIy
supple The Snowman beats a drum &C
compartment 20 their tricks. Cakes and
tea supplement the cash which is paid
them For the poorer folk. who have no
spacious ground 10 offer for the accom-
mediation OF these aCrObats. performances
are given periodically along the streets.
and are the means Of enriching the show
mans pocketbook BY many a copper.
The day closes with a patriarchal gath
ering OF the household under the family
TOOfJTee for the playing OF games. for
story telling. and for Teasing The
sake or japanese wine. straw-cOIored
and slightly intoxicating. is favored with
spices on New Years Day and the rice Is
cooked with red beans. thus forming a
favOrite holiday dish. and the distinctive
" New Years cOncOction. the Zoni stew,
IS served This is made Of fish, rice
cakes, and vegetables.
But with the close Of January 1. New
Years celebrations do not end A fresh
holiday begins with the dawn Of the fol-
lowing morning Three days al least be-
long 10 festivity, and sour more 20 less
pronounced obseryances. a sort Of umbra
and penUmbra Of merrymaking Within
this time. the first week Of the year.
every one IS supposed to have called upon
all his friends and acquaintance. The
greater compliment is signifed BY a visit
within the first three days but 10 wait
beyond the seventh Is an insult With
every visit IS a New Years present. no
matter how humble. Eggs. sponge cake.
a toy ship synbOliziRg fortune, FISH, fans.
all are customary gifts The wealthy viii
send offerings Of the holiday red rice 20
their friends, inclose6 IN lacquered boxes.
or casks Of sake. Three or four coolies
viii draw a big CARLOAD OF these casks.
done up in straw cases, deposlting them
in turn at the homes Of the recipients.
who deem themselves most favored 20 be
remembered with the first Of the year.