Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-01

nnce In China and Japan, There II Is
an art, and the ceremonial on New
Years is intended to outrank anything
else in the pink tea line. The japanese
tea room is hidden away in some seclud-
ed part Of the garden. and only few
Of the elect are admitted. This, of
course, refers to the private tea rooms,
the public ones being frequented by
Mr. Common People and all his wife's
relations
The Japs eat from q large va
rlety Of dishes on this day, plously
offering samples of the foods to their
gods The day in Nippon is celebrated
on Jan. l, as with us.
The Chinese New Year, which Is bas-
ed on the moon and occurs in January
or February, is like a prolonged and
glorifed Fourth Of July, or rather as
the Fourth was before 1t became safe
ind sane. It lasts for several days
and Is fuR of color, noise and action
from start to finish, Flrecrackers,
Chinese lanterns. tea, feastlng and
carnival all play their part, and the
new year Is initiated in way to put
ginger into his young life. The popu-
lar greeting is "Kunghi," which is to
say, 81 humbly wish you JOY" or "Sln.
hi" May joy be yours" From this
1t will be seen that the Chinese have
n 'hi' old time. Not only do lanterns
abound, but artificial flowers and red
notices ornament the houses. Even in
the United States the laundrles are
abandoned while the Celestials pay
ceremonial calls and decorate every
thing in sight with red paper. Euro
peOns also paint the town red on New
Years, only they do 1t in a different
way,
New Years is celebrated for thlr-
teen days in Persia and is the most
important festival Of the year. 1t fur
nishes n precious opportunity for the
beggars who camp on mans door
step and blow horns until he gives a
present. The festival Is called mo
Rooz" and combines our Christmas
and Easter, Sweets are prepared long
in advance, and eggs are boiled and
colored. The observance begins on
March %, and for thirteen days there.
after business is suspended Presents
are given, among them being n coat Of
honor for important persons, for which
price Is often exacted. much In ex.
cess Of the value Of the garment. An.
other mo Rooz' custom Is for dele.
cations Of Persinns to visit the tombs
Of the departed and send up walls
both loud and long
New Years is great day for the
children In the country towns Of Rus.
sla. The boys carry peas and wheat,
showering those they like with wheat
and those they dislike with peas. Varl-
Gus domestic animals are gayly deco.
rated and led about the streets. There
Is nlSo ceremony Of changing water
into wine, which is harmless enough
since II does not increase the wine
supply.
The great feature Of the German
New Years is "Sylyester Abend," CORE.
spending In some measure to our watch
parties, except that more liquid re.
freshment IL absorbed. The punch
bowl is the center of attraction, but
the punch is usually made Of mild
Rhine wine and does little II any
harm. III fares II with the man wear.
Ing high hat on this night, for II Is
smashed with great enthusiasm. In
Frankfort on the Main q pretty custom
Is observed. Promptly on the first
stroke Of IL every shutter In town files
open and a head appears with the
shout, "prosit Neujahr" 1t Is as quick.