The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1910-12-30

symbolism and Of good wishes. The New year
wine too. Is passed around, with the WISH 'na'
everyone may drink along with the cup long
long life soup containing peculiar rice paste
mochI is eaten by all. each one wishing the
others ten thousand years Of pleasure and pros
perity Then the household prepare for day
Of fcstylty. The busy broom and bamboo duster
left idle all the day, for fear that they might
sweep out Of the house the divine freshness that
has como into H. Au the shops remain closed
from dawn until the next day. II II the day OF
the home and OF social happiness There Ia no
christmas tree as the center OF the Japanese
New Year celebration inside the house. but there
In the Kngami mochi or mirror rico cakes" that
are made as conspicuous the tree" These
cakes represent the round mirror In which the
sight OF her face enticed the sun goddess out OF
her cave IN the olden time. For eleven days these
cakes remain decorated with fruits and flowers.
elevated on wildwood trays. Then they form
part OF n family feasting.
Throughout Japan the New Years day is the
one complete holiday Of the year. Soon after
breakfast all the members OF the families dressed
In their newest clothes take 10 the gardens. parks
and streets for characteristic plcasurlngs, Uni
yersal visiting s a social law-calllng on friends
and relatives In person or by card. Universal
gift making In INDUCED In, messengers being
sent bearing presents all around the household
and friendly circles Distinctive and exclusive
games also belong 10 the New Year time. Battle
them. In certain parts Of Tokyo, for example,
streets are almost impossible because Of the
hosts Of the players Of this game. As far as one
can see. the scene is one OF bewildcrlng color
from the stir Of the dresses OF the girls who are
as active In their sport as so many Of our tennis
players Gayly ornnmentcd battlodorcs fash ey.
erywhere and the air Is full Of the bright futter
ing toys that are struck from 10 another
player. Penalty for defeat usually means gro
tesque markings Of the face with strokes OF char
coal ink one may see thousands Of children
merry under the comcal markings imposed upon
their foreheads and checks
Kite flying is another peculiar New Year pas
time, And Kite flying In Japan is sight well
worth going far TO see The variety Of shape the
gorgcousncss ~ coorng. the extraordinary size
Of many Of these toys, ls something peculiar to
the Japanese Then the skin shown In maneu
ycring the kites is marvellous, They hum as they
sway In the January breeze with a sort ~ organ.
pipe volume Of sound, and, At times they swoop
down upon antagonist nIors like hawks, and.
with their glass.dnstcovercl cords cut their enc.
mics free. thus making them the property Of
their own masters, There Is hardly n more fas.
clnatlng spectacle than ot these friendly bat.
ties In the air Of japanese Kites, under the guild.
ance Of the skilled men who manage them
Another distinctive entertainment for the New
Year celebration Is furnished by groups Of masked
performers who go about the streets led by a
curious nnmal,llko creature, whose grotosque
llon.head eNcltes much mock terror among chill
drcn. The antics Of these motley crowds are
supposed TO exercise evil spirits from the Japan.
eso homes as we'll as 10 add gaycty 10 the do.
ings Of the day Many other unique ceremonies
take place on the first day; too many for an at.
tempt TO describe them here,
But We may not pass by the old card parties
OF the Now Year evenings. the matchlngs Of the
beginnings and ends Of the hundred songs OF a
hundred singers" From one January 10 another
this game is not INDUCED In but AZ the opening
Of the year Is the chief sport kept for the even.
lngs whole families becoming absorbed In II. II
Is a contest Of memory and Of qulckness at dis.
covering In cards laid out before a group Of play.
ors the end OF poem whose opening lines have
been read by a leader. II is astonishing to see
the mental skin that many Of the players have
acquired
one more exciting New Year game deserves
mention. the fortune lotteries. In these home
lotteries one takes hold OF the end Of a rope and