The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-12-26


some bamboo, and some plum twigs, to win for
her home by ornaments like these the favor of the
jealous deites that guard the future.
The city streets resound with the maIlet blows
of the dough Founders making 'mochi' the jap
anese equivalent of plum pudding All debts are
paid. New clothes are bought. There are toys
for the children and picture cards that bring good
fortune and are good to dream on when tied Sc
curely to the wooden pillow.
o, happy New Year! Day will hardly dawn be-
fore each town and village will be stirring There
is so much to do in celebration. First there will
come the ceremonial breakfast when the health
of all the family must be drunk in that rice wine
called "zoni." Then visits must be paid to all
acquaintance. Father will wear no more the ira
dtional costume fantastic and peculiar. For him
the frock coat now, of European manufacture. But
mother, in her quaint kimono and elaborate head
Dress will look just she has looked New
Years day since time immemorial.
The children will be decked out in gorgeous
colors; they will throng the streets Gathering
along on their wooden clogs In pigeon toed but
joyful haste and shouting "Banzai" to friends
and foreigners. In the streets clowns will per-
form strange antics exclaimng loudly mean
while:
Hail. hail. We gods OF heaven and earth! sig.
nifcant omens are in the air, and the universe is
full of lucky signs.
To accompaniment OF flute and drum, two
legged lions will give the lions dance" in
masque. Strange masqueraders will dart hither
and thither through streets and temple gardens.
II will be happy time for Japanese children.
For three glad days every little girl will expect
to play her favorite game of shuttlecock and bat
tledore The boys will fly their brand kites
The children will play games with brightly col
ored balls chanting countless rhymes. Grown
neople will play New Years card games. The
aremen will give acrobatic exhibitions their
ladders Every nook and corner OF Japan will be
In gala dress and gala mood
Northern France is not far behind Japan in ap-
nreciation of the significance of the New Year.
There Christmas SO important on our calendar, is
scarcely celebrated except by attendapce at mid
night mass and by festal supper But the last
night OF the year. the Vigil OF St Silvestre. calls
for observance and the first day of the year.
.a tour de Pan" or lie jour detrene." is dedicated
10 the renewal of friendship and to general gift
giving.
Go universal, in fact, has the custom become OF
giving presents and pretty little souvenirs that the
exnression "bonne etrene" means good fortune
and NAL etrenne" misfortune. Candy and flow
orc are acceptable gifts in France, but there is
only one real rule in the matter-a New Years
gift must not be useful.
In most Scotch households, as In France. New
Years day takes the place of Christmas, an evil
denee of ancient sympathy when both countries
regarded England mutual enemy. On the last
niebt OF the year in rural district. groups of men
and bows 60 dsguished from house to house sing
ing curious songs. such as this:
Rise ND. good wife. and shak' yer feathers.
Dinna think that are beggars;
We are bairnes come to play.
Rise up and give us hogmanay.
When they have received the cakes and coins
thew expect they go on to the next place, first.
however having chalked the house, in token OF
good luck Next morning all the children get up
early and view with wide and interested eyes the