The state herald., 1913-12-26

prosperous age plant" a miniature pine tree,
some bamboo. and some plum twigs, to win for
her home by ornaments like these the favor of the
jealous deties that guard the future.
The city streets resound with the mallet blows
OF the dough Founders making "mochi." the Jap
anese equivalent OF plum pudding. All debts are
paid. New clothes are bought. There ares toys
for the children and picture cards that bring good
fortune and are good to dream on when tied
curely to the wooden pilloa.
o. happy New Year, Day will hardly dawn be-
fore each town and village will be stirring There
is 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 tra
dtional costume. fantastic and peculiar. For him
the frock coat now. OF European manufacture But
mother In her quaint klmono and elaborate head.
dress. will look just ms she has looked ON New
Years day since time immemoral.
The children will be decked out In gorgeous
colors: they will throng the streets cattering
along on their wooden clogs In pigeon toed but
joyful haste. and shouting "Banzai," to friends
and foreigners In the streets clowns VIII per
form strange antics. esclaiming loudly mean.
while;
Hail. hail. ye gods OF heaven and earth, Sig
nihcant omens arc in the air. and the universe is
full OF lucky signs"
To accompaniment OF nute and drum. two.
legged lions win give the Hons dance" In
and thither through streets and temple gardens
II will be n happy time for Japanese children
For three glad days every little girl will expect
to play her fayorite game OF shuttlecock and bat.
tiedore. The boys will ny their brand new kites
The children will play games with brightly col.
ored balls chanting countless rhymes Grown
people viii play New Years card games The
1remcn will give acrobatlc exhibitions on their
ladders. Every nook and corner OF Japan will b.
In gala dress and gala mood,
Is.una la la lad Ia.
probation OF the Significance OF tho New Year
There Chrirtmaa NO Important on our calendar Ia
scarcely celebrated except by attendance at mid.
night mass and by n feHtal supper Hut the last
night OF the year tho vigil OF St siycstre. calls
for observance. and the nrat day OF the new year.
10 Jour de Ian" 'lc Jour detrcne." Ia dedicated
to the renewal OF friendship and to general gift
swing
So universal In fact. has the custom become OF
irving presents and pretty little souvenirs that the
expression "bonne etrenc" means good fortune
and NAL etrenne" misfortune. Candy and flow.
cts are acceptable gifts In France but there In
only one real rul. In the mntcr-a New Years
SIT must not be useful,
IN most Scotch households. as In France. New
Years day takes the place OF Chrintman. an evil
dsnoo OF ancient sympathy when both countries
regarded England nn n mutual enemy. ON the last
night Of tho year. In rural district. groups of
and boys 10 dirguirbed from house TO house sing
ing curious songs. such this;
Rise up. good wife. and Hhnk yer feathers.
Dinna think that wc are besgars
We arc bairnien com. TO play.
Rise up and give us bogmanay,
When they have received the cakes and coins
they expect they 30 on TO the noat place. FIRST
however, having chnlked the house. In token OF
good LUCK Next morning all tho children get up
early and view with wide and Interested eyes the