Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-22

one Of the many elaborate bows, he
would at once be regarded as one Of
the most ill-bred of ignorant Doors.
Even upon ordinary occasions Japan
ese greetings among the better class
es, is polite ana tedious in the eX-
treme. Commencing with remarks
about the weather and mutual offers
of apologies for neglectng to call for
such a long tlme-though perhaps
they had met les than ten days pre-
viously-the discourse turns to In
quiries and answers respecting the
health Of both parties and all their
relatives. Then one Of them coniures
up from the deepest recesses OF her
mide, some service her grandmother
had received from the ancestors OF
the other party seventyfive years
ago, Now the matter is once more
duffy acknowledged, and gratitude eX-
pressed in the pOlitest possible terms,
and as duly replied to by the other
with long and polished equivalent Of
don't mention It," All this time
bowing the head almost to the ground
and courtesying the other ways after
the most faultless manner goes on re-
peatedly. on one occasion the writer
happened to be present at a meeting
Of two japanese ladies of some dis
tinction, when he counted seventeen
bows on each side before the pre-
liminary salutation was over. Exactly
t,11 nfF lNFI l., 10
watch before these ladies got through
the ceremony which must precede
consideration OF the business for
which they met.
on New Years, coolie and gentle
man alike observe all the nicities Of
the elaborate Japanese etiquette.
There is feastng and an exchange of
presents, with a prescribed way for
every rank in life to make preser
to every other rank and an equally
defined maner in which they are to
be received Every one enters into
the fun Of the time from the highest
to the lowest, social distinctions being
laid aside. They hcall upon each 9TH
er; march in great professions; visit
tea-houses and thehaters, drinking
tea and sake almost without ceasing.
All wear their gayest kimonas, and
the little moosmes are brilliant in
flowered silks and splendid sashes
1t is still the custom in Japan for
every one to pay all that he owes
to his creditors before New Years
dawns. SO the last day in the old
year, the japanese behind In his pay
ments, among his belongings for
something to sell and carries II to
market IN order to get Il few cents
to settle with his creditors In t.
city Of Tokyo. for more than two
miles the stalls stretch along in dou-
BILE rows lighted by oil flares, and
there can he seen everything to be
found I'm the poor Japanese house
holds. with his wares in two square
boxes, one at each end Of n bamboo
pole slung across his shoulder, he,
with something to sell, travels 7-ong
until ne finds an unoccupied piece OF
pavement where he can spread and
expose what he has for sale. Some
llIIltb ne HAS spiliteiihB VI bNohNy VI
great value. an heirloom, the last
precious possession Of q family come
to want. Everything and all kinds
Of people. including art connoisseurs,
come to this market on the last night
Of the year.
The Festival of the Dead which
we recently witnessed at Kioto, is Of
religious character and one Of the
few religious ceremonies understood
and interpreted alike by all classes
Of the Japanese. 1t is called the Bor
Matsurl and is celebrated in ways
which but slightly differs In various
parts Of Japan. But in oil parts there
are great professions. In which child
rem march through the streets carry.
ing fans, banners and lanterns, and
chanting as they march. In Kioto