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Our Little Japanese Cousin


THE
Little Cousin Series
(TRADE MARK)
Each volume illustrated with six or more full page plates in
tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover
per volume, 60 cents
LIST OF TITLES
BY MARY HAZELTON WADE, MARY F.
Nixon-ROULET, BLANCHE McManus,
CLARA V. WINLOW, FLORENCE E.
MENDEL AND OTHERS
Our Little African Cousin Our Little Hungarian Cousin
Our Little Alaskan Cousin Our Little Indian Cousin
Our Little Arabian Cousin Our Little Irish Cousin
Our Little Argentine Cousin Our Little Italian Cousin
Our Little Armenian Cousin Our Little Japanese Cousin
Our Little Australian Cousin Our Little Jewish Cousin
Our Little Austrian Cousin Our Little Korean Cousin
Our Little Belgian Cousin Our Little Malayan (Brown)
Our Little Bohemian Cousin : Cousin
Our Little Boer Cousin Our Little Mexican Cousin
Our Little Brazilian Cousin Our Little Norwegian Cousin
Our Little Bulgarian Cousin Our Little Panama Cousin
Our Little Canadian Cousin Our Little Persian Cousin
Our Little Chinose Cousin Our Little Philippine Cousin
Our Little Cossack Cousin Our Little Polish Cousin
Our Littlo Cuban Cousin Our Little Porto Rican Cousin
Our Little Danish Cousin Our Little Portuguese Cousin
Our Little Dutch Cousin Our Little Russian Cousin
Our Little Egyptian Cousin Our Little Scotch Cousin
Our Little English Cousin Our Little Servian Cousin
Our Little Eskimo Cousin Our Little Siamese Cousin
Our Little French Cousin Our Little Spanish Cousin
Our Little German Cousin Our Little Swedish Cousin
Our Little Grecian Cousin Our Little Swiss Cousin
Our Little Hawaiian Cousin Our Little Turkish Cousin
Our Little Hindu Cousin !
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Our Little
Dance Cousin
Mary Ilon Wind

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Our Little
Japanese Cousin
By
Mary Hazelton Wade
Illustrated by
L. J. Bridgman
Boston
The Page Company
Publishers
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Jur. 1917.500
HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
GIFT OF
ERNEST GOODRICH STILLMAN
1940
Copyright, 1901
BY THE PAGE COMPANY
All rights reserved
Fourteenth Impression, December, 1908
Fifteenth Impression, October, 1909
Sixteenth Impression, August, 1910
Seventeenth Impression, May, 1912
Eighteenth Impression, April, 1913
Nineteenth Impression, January, 1914
Twentieth Impression, June, 1915
Twenty-first Impression, February, 1917


Preface
are
The Japanese boys and girls are very happy
and contented. They are very cleanly and
polite. They dislike harsh words and quarrel-
ing. They take great delight in the beautiful
things God has given, — the green fields, the
trees, and the flowers. They are ever ready to
join with their parents in making festivals
when the peach and plum-trees burst into
bloom. Then, away with all care as they go
out in gay processions into the country, where
they sing songs and write little poems to the
trees that give them so much pleasure.
The Japanese take delight in simple things.
But there is another side of their nature, we
are now discovering. They are very brave.
They love their country as themselves. They
are willing to give up their lives for her, and
they do it gladly. When the Japanese sol-
diers go forth to battle, their wives and chil-
dren do not weep. They cheer them onward
with all their hearts, for these men whom they


Preface
vii
love so dearly are going in defence of the
country that is the mother of them all.
At this very moment, it may be, the Japa-
nese are in battle with their powerful enemies.
Their number is small when compared with
the great Russian army, but they are brave
and fearless; they think little of themselves,
and much of the country they are eager to
save. Thousands of their American cousins
watch eagerly for news and daily send love
and greetings to the dauntless Japanese.
WS





List of Illustrations
PAGE
Lotus Blossom . . .
.
.
.
Frontispiece
. 18
" SHE IS SOON SOUND ASLEEP”
.
.
.
.
Toyo Feeding THE PIGEONS
THE CANDY MAN . .
Aunt Ocho's Garden .
A LESSON IN ARRANGING FLOWERS
.
.





10 Our Little Japanese Cousin
Never
she cry? Papa and mamma are always kind
and ready to play with her. She is never
sent to bed alone in the dark, for she goes
to sleep, and gets up in the morning when
her parents do. She does not play so hard
as to get tired out and cross with everybody.
She takes everything quietly, just as the big
folks do, and is never in a hurry. Her play-
mates do not say unkind words to make her
sad, for the children of Japan are taught to
be polite above everything else. Why, I
have heard that once upon a time one little
yellow boy so far forgot himself as to call a
lady bad names. His parents were terribly
shocked. They felt that they had been dis-
graced, and at once sent for a policeman to go
to the lady's house and ask for their child's
pardon. As for him! well, he was severely
punished in a way you will hear about later
on in my story.
Besides all these things which help to make


12 Our Little Japanese Cousin
nen
going inside. That is one reason why every
building can be kept so clean.
The little Japanese girl's clothes are pretty
as well as comfortable. It is not possible for
pins to prick her tender flesh, because they
are never used about her dress. In summer
she wears a silk or linen garment made very
much like your papa's dressing-gown, except
that it has immense sleeves. Beautiful scarlet
flowers are embroidered all over it, and a wide
sash is wound around her waist and tied in a
big, flat bow behind. She is very fond of
red, so she has a bow of red crape in her hair,
and a small red bag is fastened to her belt in
front. What do you suppose she carries in
the bag? Paper handkerchiefs ! Not linen
ones like yours, which are washed when they
get soiled, but rather of soft, pretty paper.
As soon as each one is used it is thrown away.
Don't you think that is a very nice and cleanly
custom ? Indeed, there are many things about


14 Our Little Japanese Cousin
enough to make an American boy's heart fill
with envy. He may boast of six pockets,
but what of that? They could all be filled
and stowed away in one of Lotus Blossom’s
sleeves, and room would be still left.
The little girl's life is like a long playtime.
In the first place, she lives in a sort of play-
house. There is nothing to get out of order;
no chairs in the way, no table-scarfs to pull
down, no ink-wells to tip over. There is
only one big room in the house, but there
are many beautiful paper screens, so her
mamma can divide the house just as she
pleases by moving the screens about. If
be no question whether there is a guest-room
or not. One can be made with screens in a
moment. Even the front of the house is
made of screens, which can be closed at night,
and folded away in the morning to open up
the whole house to the fresh air and sunshine.


16
Our Little Japanese Cousin
has only to get a fire-box, light some charcoal,
and sit down beside it. And when Lotus
Blossom goes to breakfast, she has a fire-box
beside the lacquered table, so that water for
her tea can be kept hot.
Tea! you say. That little girl, nine years
old, drinking tea? Yes, we have to admit
that the Japanese child drinks tea at a very
early age ; and with no milk or sugar, either.
But then the cups are so tiny they do not
hold inuch. They are no bigger than those
in a doll's china set. How quickly the little
tea-table is set at meal times. Each member
of the family has one all to himself. There
is no table-cloth, no knife, or fork, or spoon;
instead of these one sees a pair of chop-sticks,
a small cup and saucer, and a plate from
which he eats the steaming rice and the
minced fish. But suppose that the tea or
rice should be spilled on the beautiful table?
Please don't imagine such a thing Japanese
re


Our Little Japanese Cousin 17
nare
children are too carefully trained by their
kind mammas to be so careless. They handle
their chop-sticks so daintily that no grain of
rice nor bit of fish falls as they lift the food
to their pretty mouths.
Where does our little Japanese cousin sleep
in this funny house? There are no bedsteads,
or mattresses, or blankets, or sheets. When
bedtime comes, her papa and mamma move
the screens around so as to shut themselves
off from the rest of the house. Then they
go to a cupboard and take down some wadded
quilts and queer wooden blocks, whose tops
are slightly curved. A quilt is spread on the
floor, and a wooden block serves as a pillow.
Some paper is laid on it so that it may be
kept clean. And now, you think, Lotus
Blossom may get into her bed after she has
undressed and put on her night-dress. Not
so, however. She must bathe in a tub of
such hot water that it would turn your body


18 Our Little Japanese Cousin
very red, if you were only to hop in and out
again. The whole family bathe in the same
tub of water, one after the other, and it is kept
hot by a tube which runs to a fire-box. The
little girl puts on her day-dress after her bath
is finished, and, lying down on the quilt, she
rests her head on the hard pillow. Mamma
covers her with another quilt, and she is soon
sound asleep.
When Lotus Blossom was two years old
her brother Toyo was born. How the family
rejoiced at having a little son! When he was
only seven days old a very important cere-
mony was performed. He had to receive a
name. His papa, who believes in the religion
of Shintoism, fully wrote out five of his fa-
vourite names on pieces of paper. Then he
took his baby in his arms, and, carrying the
papers, he went to the temple where he wor-
shipped. The papers were handed to the
priest, who placed them in a bowl. After



" SHE IS SOON SOUND ASLEEP."


-----
---
-


Our Little Japanese Cousin
19
so
some ceremony, the priest began to fish in
the bowl with a sacred wand. The first paper
he lifted out bore the name of Toyo. This
was the way that Lotus Blossom's little
brother received his name. When he was
about four weeks old he was again carried to
the temple by his father and nurse. The
Japanese believe in one great power, or god,
but under him there are many others; as, a
god of flowers, a god of art, and so forth.
This time he was put under the care of his
special god, who was then expected to protect
him for the rest of his life.
All this time Toyo's head was kept per-
fectly smooth. In fact, his first visit to the
barber was very important, for all his hair was
shaved off then except a little fringe at the
back and sides. When he was four months
old another important ceremony was held.
Toyo left off baby clothes and was given his
first solid food. That was rice, of course,


20
Our Little Japanese Cousin
which he would continue to eat at every meal
for the rest of his life.
Toyo and Lotus Blossom are always happy
together. His sister was the first one to help
Toyo squat on his little heels. Japanese
babies never creep. The little brother had
no baby-carriage or cradle, but he never
missed them. He was always such a happy
little fellow; never perched up in a high-chair
with his body fastened in by a wooden tray,
but always moving around, sometimes on the
floor, sometimes fastened on mamma's or
nurse's back, again on the older children's
backs, when Lotus Blossom was out playing
in the garden with them. When he got tired
he would simply go to sleep, while the chil-
dren would keep on with their play. But
when he woke up, he would look about with
a dear little smile, as much as to say: “ I'm
all right, thank you, don't fret about me.”
It was a most important time when he cut


Our Little Japanese Cousin 23
son
new
forget all about it, mamma would bring a new
doll from the cupboard.
But perhaps Lotus Blossom is tired of
playthings, so she and Toyo run out in the
garden to have a frolic with their pets. They
have new ones nearly every day, for they are
fond of every creature that is alive. To-day
they are going to hunt for some big beetles,
as Toyo has planned a little carriage which
he will make out of paper, with pasteboard
wheels and reins of silk thread for the paper
doll. The beetles will be harnessed, and the
children will train them to draw the carriage.
Jolly fun! The whole afternoon is spent in
finding some black beauties and playing with
them.
Another day the children will catch some
grasshoppers and tame them. Toyo will
make a pretty paper cage to hold them, while
both he and Lotus Blossom will be very care-
ful to feed them regularly on the dainties
om


24 Our Little Japanese Cousin
they like best. When night comes the turtles
must be looked after and fed, for Toyo has
some beauties. He likes to fasten a string
through the shell and take them walking, just
as his American cousins do, but he would not
willingly torture them.
Lotus Blossom has a globe full of gold-fish
different from any you have ever seen. Their
tails are fan-shaped, and are as long as their
bodies. During the long summer days the
globe of fish is set out on the broad balcony,
and many children stop to watch them as they
pass. Toyo loves his little dog more than
all his other pets. He is the dearest little
fellow, and wishes to follow his young master
wherever he goes. He looks somewhat like
a spaniel, except that he is white. His nose
is turned up at the end, so that he looks all
the time as if he would say, “Humph! I
am very wise. You poor people don't know
much.” And he looks all this in such a


Our Little Japanese Cousin 25
way as to make you wish to laugh. Toyo's
mamma has made a big scarlet ruff for the
dog's neck, and it makes him feel very fine,
I dare say. His master has fastened a wooden
label on his collar to tell where he belongs.
I know you will be disappointed when you
learn that Lotus Blossom's dear little kitten
cannot play with her tail. No fun for her,
poor kitty, you are thinking. But why is it?
Because she has no tail, or at least only the
stub of one. So of course she is quite calm
and solemn — that is, for a kitten. But then
she lives in Japan, and so she ought to be
more dignified than kittens of other lands.
Don't you think so ?
We must leave all these pets now and go
to church, or rather to the temple, with Toyo,
Lotus Blossom, and their parents. There is
no set day for worship, for there is no such
thing as Sunday in Japan. The temples are
always open, and the children are fond of


26
Our Little Japanese Cousin
going to them to offer prayers, and also to
have a good time. As they near the temple
they see stands of sweetmeats and good things
of all kinds. The way is lined on both sides
with these stands. Great numbers of people,
rich and poor, high and low, are coming and
going. Pigeons are flying in and out of the
sacred building, and no one harms them.
Toyo stops and buys a yen's worth of corn
and scatters it for the birds to eat. They
flock around him without fear. They are so
tame that the children could catch them with
no difficulty. But Lotus Blossom and Toyo
pass on to the entrance, and, bowing low, take
off their clogs.
The inside of the building is almost bare.
There are no statues of gods or goddesses,
no ornaments, — nothing except an altar with
some queer sticks standing upon it. Festoons
of white paper hang from these wands, or
“gohei,” as the Japanese call them. A priest



TOYO FEEDING THE PIGEONS.





Our Little Japanese Cousin 27
stands behind the altar, and a large cloth is
spread out on the floor in front of it. Lotus
Blossom and Toyo clap their hands. This
is to call the attention of the gods. Then
they say a little prayer and throw some money
upon the cloth. If they are very good and
devout children, perhaps the gods will descend
into the temple. The queer papers on the
wands are to be the clothing of these great
beings. No images are needed, you see, only
plenty of paper. Rather hard to understand
this, and yet all that is necessary for Toyo
and Lotus Blossom is to worship their ances-
tors properly, and believe that the great spirits
are working everywhere in nature. This is
the reason they are taught to obey their
parents at all times, and never to harm any-
thing living. The children are also taught to
believe that the Mikado, the Emperor of
Japan, is descended from god-kings who once
ruled over the country. This is why such


28
Our Little Japanese Cousin
ve
great honour is paid him wherever he goes.
Until a few years ago the people thought him
so sacred that they ought not to look at
him, so he was obliged to stay inside his
beautiful palace like a prisoner. But times
have changed, and his subjects have a little
more common sense nowadays.
After our little cousins have said their
prayers and given their money, they go to a
dance-hall in another part of the temple. You
know by this time that the Japanese like to
enjoy themselves. But isn't it a strange idea
to have dancing, praying, and feasting in the
same place? The dancers are dressed like
butterflies. They have beautiful red and gold
wings. They are very graceful, but the music
is unpleasant to us. Toyo thinks it is fine,
and wishes he could play as well.
Now for a good dinner in the restaurant in
the next hall, for the boy's father has prom-
ised to treat his family to all the dainties of


Our Little Japanese Cousin 29
the season, — candied lotus-leaves, and every-
thing they like best. It is a happy day, and
the children wish they could go to the temple
oftener.
One morning not long after this, poor little
Lotus Blossom woke up with a bad pain in
her stomach. Her face and hands were hot.
She was not able to get up and go to school.
Mamma felt very sad, and at once sent to ask
the priest for something to make her little
daughter well. You say at once, “Is the
priest in Japan a doctor? And will he pre-
pare medicine marked in some such way as this:
• One teaspoonful to be taken each hour?'”
No, indeed. Lotus Blossom’s mamma re-
ceived from her queer physician two “moxas,”
with orders that one of them should be placed
on the back of the sick child, and the other
on her foot. The direction of the priest was
followed, although it made Lotus Blossom
very unhappy. I think you would not like


30 Our Little Japanese Cousin
it, if you were in her place, for a moxa makes
a burn far worse than a mustard plaster does.
You know the punk that you use on the
Fourth of July to light your firecrackers and
fireworks? The moxas are made of a cer-
tain kind of pith, and burn slowly just as the
punk does. The Japanese believe in the use
of moxas for many things, — bad children,
sickness, and I can't tell you what else. The
impolite boy I told you about, at the begin-
ning of the story, was burned with a moxa,
in such a way that he never forgot himself
again. As for fevers, why, the moxa is cer-
tain to drive away the bad spirits that cause
them.
No doubt you wonder at it, as I do myself,
but Lotus Blossom got well enough in two
or three days to sit up and be dressed. But
she did not care for her dolls or games ; she
felt tired all the time. Her loving and most
honoured father said a change of air would


Our Little Japanese Cousin 31
do her good. It would be well for her to
spend some days at the house of an aunt
who lived several miles out in the country.
Toyo was allowed to go, too. How were
they to get there? In steam or electric cars ?
What can you be thinking of to ask such
questions? Two jinrikishas were brought
to the door; one was for Lotus Blossom and
one for her brother. Strong men were hired
to draw them. I wonder if you ever saw
anything like a jin-riki-sha, or man-power-car-
riage, for that is what the word means. They
are very comfortable, much like baby-car-
riages, and are lined with soft cushions. The
men look strong and kind. They are nearly
naked, so that they can run easily and rapidly.
It will take only an hour to carry the
children to their aunt's, if they do not stop
on the way. But there are so many things
to see to-day that Lotus Blossom forgets all
about her sickness and burns, and wants her


32 Our Little Japanese Cousin
een.
runners to stop every few minutes to rest.
The children spend at least five minutes bid-
ding their mother a proper good-bye. Then,
at the word, off they go, down“ Dog” Street
into “Turtle” Street. There are no side-
walks, but they are not needed, for horses
and wagons are rarely seen. ,
But look! Here is a man standing in the
middle of the street, dancing and singing a
funny song. The sober Japanese who are
passing stop and laugh. The man has a little
stand by his side, and on this stand are a
dish of wheat-gluten and a bamboo reed. As
Lotus Blossom and Toyo draw near, the man
ends his song and calls out, “Now who wants
me to blow him a candy dog? Or shall it
be a monkey eating a nut? You, my most
honoured little lady, want one surely.”
This he said to Lotus Blossom, who was
sitting up straight in the jinrikisha, full of
interest. She thought a moment or two, and



20
K
XX
Se
2
23
SOS
CONCES
20
THE CANDY MAN.





Our Little Japanese Cousin 33
then asked for a stork with wings spread out
to fly. She had hardly stopped speaking be-
fore the man seized a bamboo reed, dipped
it in the sticky paste, and blowing now this
way, now that, fashioned the graceful bird.
Pinching it here and there to make it more
perfect, he put on some touches of colour
from a box of paints. It was wonderfully
done. Lotus Blossom gave him five yen for
the candy toy, the runners took hold of the
jinrikisha, and away the children went on
their journey.
They came soon to another crowd of boys
and girls gathered about a batter-cake man.
He had a little stand on which a pan of char-
coal was burning. A large griddle rested over
the coal, and a tiny little urchin was standing
on his tiptoes and baking cakes. The man cut
them out for him in pretty shapes. See the
pleasure on the youngster's face! All this fun
for ten yen, or one cent. The other children
m2


Our Little Japanese Cousin 35
a man with one of them over his shoulders,
and a queer mushroom-shaped hat on his
head, you would feel like laughing, I know, –
that is, if you had not already acquired some
of the politeness of the Japanese themselves.
But let us return to Turtle Street and find
out what is now attracting the attention of
our little cousins. Would you believe it?
They can't be in very much of a hurry to get
to aunty's, for they have stopped again. You
would also stop if you saw what they do. A
travelling street show is entertaining num-
bers of men, women, and children. Babies
are on the backs of some of them, laugh-
ing and crowing, too. See that clever fellow
in the middle. He is making butterflies of
coloured paper and blowing them up into the
air. He keeps them flying about, now in one
direction, now in another, by waving his fan.
It seems as though they must be alive, he
does this so cleverly. That yellow butterfly
eems


36
Our Little Japanese Cousin
is made to alight on a baby's hand. Hear
the little fellow crow with delight. Another
flies over Lotus Blossom’s jinrikisha, and
then, by the dexterous waving of the show-
man's fan, goes off in another direction before
she can catch it.
After the butterfly show another man per-
forms some wonderful tricks with a ladder.
He places the ladder upright on the ground
without any support; he climbs it, rung by
rung, keeping its balance all the time. Finally
he reaches the very top and stands on one
foot, bowing and gracefully waving a fan.
There is not time to tell you all the wonderful
feats of the Japanese. Toyo and Lotus Blos-
som are delighted, although they have seen
performances like these many times before.
But they must really hasten on their jour-
ney, for aunty will be expecting them, and it
will soon be sunset. In a few moments they
leave the city behind and are out in the beauti-





Our Little Japanese Cousin 37
ful country. They pass tea plantations. The
glossy green leaves are almost ready to pick.
See the man in that field, running wildly
about, making hideous noises. Is he crazy?
Our little cousins do not seem disturbed as
they pass by, for he is only a hired scarecrow.
You remember that the people in Japan think
it wrong to kill any living thing. But there are
great numbers of birds in the country which
are likely to eat the crops and do much dam-
age. So men are hired to act as scarecrows
and make noises to frighten the birds away.
At last Uncle Oto's rice plantation is
reached. The children draw up in front of
a large, low house with wide verandas. It is
more beautiful than their own home. The
roof is magnificent with carvings, and must
have cost a great deal of money. It is the
pride of Aunt Ocho. The gardens contain
the choicest plants and trees, besides a pond
and an artificial waterfall. Lotus Blossom and


38
Our Little Japanese Cousin
Toyo are sure of a good time and much fun.
They will have a great deal to tell their
mamma when they return to their home.
ise
Time passes by. The children have been
back in their own home a long time. They
are now looking forward to New Year's day.
Everything is excitement about the house.
Mamma has hired an extra servant to help
clean the house from right to left; not from
top to bottom, as we say, for there are no
stairways or rooms overhead. Everything is
on one floor, remember. The screens are
carefully wiped, the mats receive an extra
shaking, and then mamma brings out her
choicest vase from the storehouse and places
it on a beautiful, ebony stand in the place of
honour. The Japanese are not at all like us.
They are so simple in their tastes, and love
beautiful things so much, that they have only
one or two pieces, at the most, on view at a


Our Little Japanese Cousin 39
More
son
time. They think they can enjoy them more
fully in this way.
The most honoured father orders some
workmen to come and set up some tall pine
branches in front of the gateway. One is of
black, the other of red pine, and tall bamboo
reeds are placed beside them. A grass rope
is stretched from one reed to the other, and
some funny strips of white paper are hung on
it. You saw many of these papers at the
temple where the children worship. This
work is very important to the childlike people.
They think that the rope, with papers fastened
to it, will keep away all the evil spirits that
are ever ready to spoil the happiness of human
beings. They are demons, who take the shape
of foxes, badgers, and wolves, and are frightful
enough to the imagination of Lotus Blossom
and her brother. Of course, the children are
glad that the evil spirits are to be surely kept
Saw
away.


40
Our Little Japanese Cousin
Other things are hung on the rope for good
luck. There is a piece of charcoal and some
seaweed, and a “lucky bag” filled with chest-
nuts, a bit of herring and sume dried fruit.
All these things will make the gods under-
stand they are not forgotten.
The day before New Year's some men
come to the house with an oven and pro-
ceed to make the grand New Year's cake. It
must not be eaten, however, until the rith of
January. The children stand around and
watch the men pound the sticky rice-paste
with a heavy mallet. At last it is smooth
enough, and then it is cut into rounds and
built up into a pyramid. I hear you say,
“Well, I'd rather have my mother's plum-
cake, any time.” But not so with Lotus
Blossom and Toyo. They watch their
mother anxiously as she places it with great
care on a lacquered stand, to remain until
the time comes to eat it.


Our Little Japanese Cousin
41
Now they are allowed to put on their clogs
and go to buy the “ harvest ship,” which they
will hang up in the house instead of the holly
and evergreens you like to see at Christmas
time. The Japanese believe that on New
Year's eve a wonderful ship comes sailing into
port. Of course, it is sent by the gods. No
one has ever really seen it. That does not
matter; there are pictures of it, nevertheless,
and no New Year's decorations are complete
without a miniature harvest ship. The shops
are as full of them as our markets are of ever-
green trees at Christmas time. They are
made of grasses and trimmed with gaily col-
oured papers. The selection of this ship is
a very exciting event, not only for Lotus
Blossom and Toyo, but also for their mother.
How anxiously they look at one after another
as the shopkeeper shows them. Finally one
is chosen that suits the children's mother as
to price and beauty. But the shopping is by


42
Our Little Japanese Cousin
no means ended, for presents must be bought
for friends and playmates.
And now, children of America, please don't
get envious of all the pretty things which your
cousins can buy for a few pennies. Lotus
Blossom and Toyo have been saving money
for a long time. Each has a number of square
copper coins strung on a string. They are
not like our pennies, for they are larger and
thinner, and each one has a square hole in
the centre. Ten of these are equal in value
to one of our cents, and there are many pretty
things that Japanese children can buy for a
yen, as this piece of money is called. Such
pretty picture books made of the lovely Japa-
nese paper! Dolls that are dressed in the
same fashion as the two children, only the
dresses are of paper ; pictures of the Japanese
gods and goddesses ; games and tops and can-
dies. At length the shopping is over and the
last yen has been spent. The family are glad
can


Our Little Japanese Cousin
43
to go home and take a hot bath and nap, for
they are very tired.
On New Year's morning Lotus Blossom
and her brother receive their own presents, and
although they do not shout and jump up and
down as you do when you are very happy,
they are much pleased. Toyo has a drum,
some lovely books and a new game of battle-
dore and shuttlecock, which is the game of all
games to be played at New Year's. The
shuttlecock is a large gilded seed with feathers
stuck all around it; the battledore is a bat, flat
on one side to strike with, while the other side
has a raised figure of a beautiful dancing-girl.
Lotus Blossom has, among other things, a doll
which her mother has dressed in flowered silk,
keep her ornaments. But the greatest surprise
to the children is a white rabbit. These little
creatures are the dearest of all pets in Japan,
because they are so rare. It cost the loving


Our Little Japanese Cousin
45
pretty Japanese women spoil their good looks
as soon as they are married by colouring their
teeth black! Isn't it a shame? I'm glad we
don't have this custom in our country, aren't
you?
And now the New Year's calls begin.
What a bowing and bending! Men, women,
and children are all calling and lavishing
many - worded compliments on each other.
Refreshments are passed, and then there is a
“show” to amuse everybody. Some men
have been hired to come to the house. They
dance and sing many songs. After this comes
the funny part of the entertainment. One
man puts on a mask and makes believe he is
an animal. He rolls around on the floor at
the ladies' feet, makes queer noises, and every-
body laughs and is delighted. The big folks
like it as much as the children. Perhaps the
funny man will now put on two masks and
represent different things at the same time, –


: Our Little Japanese Cousin 47
When they arrive at their schoolroom, they
are met by a quiet, kindly man with big
glasses over his eyes. The children instantly
bow down to the ground before him, for he
is their teacher. Of course the low bow is to
show great respect. Japanese children are
taught to treat their instructors, as well as
their parents, with honour and regard.
And now they enter the schoolroom. But
what a schoolroom! No desks, no platform,
no seats ! The teacher sits down upon a mat
with a small lacquered stand beside him. The
children squat on the floor around him and
begin to study. What queer letters in the
books! You would not be able to read one
word. Lotus Blossom and Toyo have already
learned their alphabets. You smile, perhaps,
and think, “H’m! that isn't much.” Well,
just wait till I tell you there are forty-seven
different characters in one alphabet, while in
another there are several times as many. The


48 Our Little Japanese Cousin
easy alphabet is the only one that girls must
know, while boys learn both. But Lotus
Blossom is a very bright child, so she studies
the more difficult characters as well.
Japanese books are printed very differently
from ours. The lines run up and down the
page, and keep the eyes of the reader busily
moving. The children don't have many
examples to perform, for the Japanese do not
consider arithmetic so important as Ameri-
cans do. Do you sigh now, and wish you
could get your education in that far-away land
where long division is not a daily trial? But
wait till I tell you about the writing, or rather
painting, lessons. You will certainly be en-
vious. When the schoolmaster gives the
signal, the children take the brushes and the
cakes of India ink from their satchels. They
mix a little of the ink with water, and then
are ready to paint their words on the beautiful
paper made in their country. Many people


50 Our Little Japanese Cousin
nese
the cat or kill a fly. His parents would be
shocked beyond expression.
“How about punishment in the Japanese
school ?” I hear a little boy ask. My dear
child, it is hardly ever needed, but when it
does come, it is not being kept after school;
it is not a whipping. The child is burned !
The teacher takes a moxa, which I told you
is a kind of pith, and sticks it on the naughty
child's hand. He then sets the moxa on fire
to burn slowly. It is a long, sad punishment
for any one who is so bad as to deserve it.
It does not need to be given every day.
Lotus Blossom and Toyo, as well as their
little schoolmates, are very attentive to their
work, and try their hardest to please the
teacher.
When school is done, what will the children
do throughout the long afternoon ? Lotus
Blossom must work a certain time in embroid-
ery, and take a short lesson with her mamma



A LESSON IN ARRANGING FLOWERS.





54 Our Little Japanese Cousin
es
was a fine new one, but he wouldn't show his
grief, at any rate.
Toyo sometimes wrestles with the other
boys, but they are not rough and noisy
about it. They wrestle gently, if you can
imagine such a thing. They have often
seen the trained wrestlers at the shows;
such big, fat men. They must weigh at
least three hundred pounds. The fat fairly
hangs upon them. The Japanese people are
generally slim and rather small, but if a man
is going to train himself to be a wrestler, he
eats everything that will help to make him
fat. I should think they could not get hurt,
for they look as though they were cushioned
in fat.
The boys of Japan have marbles and tops,
just as you do ; in fact, nearly all the games
which you like best were played by your far-
away cousins long before there was a white
child on this great continent of ours. « Blind
re


Our Little Japanese Cousin 55
man's buff,” “Hide the thimble,” and “ Puss
in the corner,” are great favourites with the
Japanese. Instead of hiding the thimble,
however, they use a slipper, and instead of
puss in the corner, they play that it is the
devil. You must not forgot that the Japanese
believe there are many devils, or bad spirits, as
well as good ones who are ready to help.
They even think of them in their games.
How many holidays have we in a whole
year? Stop and count. Not a great number,
we must admit. Lotus Blossom and Toyo
have so many that they can count on their
fingers the number of days between any two
of them. Next best to New Year's, our little
girl cousin likes the Feast of Dolls. It
comes on the third day of the third month.
At that time the stores are filled with dolls,
– big dolls, little dolls, dolls dressed like
princesses with founced silk gowns, dolls
made up as servants, as dancing-girls, and
cen a


56 Our Little Japanese Cousin
dolls the very image of the Mikado, the ruler
of Japan, — nothing but dolls and dolls' furni-
ture. When the great day arrives, Lotus
Blossom’s mamma makes a throne in the
house. She brings out the two dolls that
she herself received when she was born, be-
sides those of her mother and grandmother
and great-grandmother! They have been
carefully packed away in soft papers in the
family storehouse. What a sight they are,
with all the new ones that have been bought
for Lotus Blossom. The Mikado doll is
first placed on his throne, surrounded by his
court, and then the soldiers and dancers and
working people are made to stand at either
side. They are dressed in the proper clothing
that belongs to their position. But this
grand array is not all. There are all kinds
of doll's furniture, too, — little tables only
four inches high, with dolls' tea-sets, the
tiniest, prettiest china dishes. There are the


Our Little Japanese Cousin 57
wadded silk quilts for the dolls to sleep on,
and wooden pillows on which the doll-heads
can rest. Yes, there are dolls' fans, and even
dolls' games.
On this great occasion there is a dinner-
party for the whole family of dolls. Lotus
Blossom and her little friends, as well as her
father and mother, are quite busy serving their
guests with rice, fish, soup, and all kinds of
sweet dainties. Somehow or other, all these
nice things are eaten. What wonderful dolls
they have in Japan, don't they?
Toyo enjoys the day as well as Lotus ,
Blossom, but still he is looking forward to
the fifth of May. That will be his favourite
time of all the year. By that time the girls'
dolls will be put away, and the stores will be
filled with boys' playthings, — soldiers, tents,
armour, etc. Toyo's father will place a tall
bamboo pole in front of the house, and hang
an immense paper fish on the top of it. The


Our Little Japanese Cousin 59
ns.
A festival which everybody loves is the
Feast of Lanterns. It is in the summer time,
and the children are dressed in their gayest
clothes. They form processions and march
through the streets singing with all their
might. Every child carries a large paper
lantern and keeps it swinging all the time.
It is such a pretty sight in the evening light,
- the bright dresses, the graceful figures, the
gorgeous lanterns. Oh, Japan is the land of
happy children, young and old.
One pleasant summer afternoon, as Lotus
Blossom and Toyo were playing on their
veranda, they noticed some one stopping at
the gateway and then coming up the walk
to the house. It was the man-servant who
worked at the home of a friend of theirs,
whose father was very rich. Toyo whispered,
“Oh, Lotus Blossom, I believe he's bringing
us an invitation to Chrysanthemum's party.
You know she is going to have one on her
ve


60 Our Little Japanese Cousin
birthday.” Sure enough, the man came up to
the children, and, making a low bow, pre-
sented them with two daintily folded papers
and then departed. They hastened to open
them, and found, with delight, that they were
really and truly asked to their friend's party.
It was to be at three o'clock in the afternoon
of the following Thursday. Lotus Blossom
ran to her mother, just as her American cous-
ins might do, and cried, “Oh, mamma, my
precious, honourable 'mother, what shall I
wear? See this; do look at my invitation.”
It was a rare thing indeed to see the child so
excited. Her mother smiled, and answered,
“My dear little pearl of a Lotus Blossom, I
have almost finished embroidering your new
silk garment. It shall be finished, and you
shall have a new yellow crape kerchief to fold
about your throat. A barber shall arrange
your long hair about your head; and I will
buy you white silk sandals to be tied with
IN


Our Little Japanese Cousin
63
some hired performers represent one of their
loved fairy stories in a play. The actresses
have lovely gowns, and are very graceful. It
is a very enjoyable occasion.
The time to leave comes all too soon.
The jinrikisha men arrive, and after assur-
ing their hostess that they never had had
so lovely a time before, Lotus Blossom and
Toyo make two deep bows and return
home very happy. I believe you would not
object to a party like that yourself, would
you?
caso
Among all the joyous festivals of the year,
I must not forget to tell you of the plum-
viewing. The winter season is very short in
Japan, and the houses are not built to keep
out the cold very well, as you must have
already perceived. When the spring days
arrive and the blossoms begin to appear, the
child people are very happy. If they are
happy, of course they must show it. How
ari
Te


Our Little Japanese Cousin 65
could desire were on sale: cakes, tea, fruit,
fans, sweets of all kinds, toys, etc. No
wonder Lotus Blossom and Toyo wanted
to save up their money. But the orchard !
Was there ever a lovelier sight? Hun-
dreds of trees loaded with fragrant pink
blossoms !
The people write poems about them, and
pin them on the branches, to show how much
they appreciate the beautiful sight which Na-
ture has given them. Tea-drinking, story-
telling, and the entertainments of travelling
showmen take up the day. Sunset bids them
leave the beautiful scene and go back to home
and work.
And now, children, we must bid these
dear cousins good-bye for a little while. Al-
though they worship in strange ways, and read
their books upside down, besides doing many
other things in a manner that seems strange
to us, yet we can learn much from their


66 Our Little Japanese Cousin
simple, childlike natures. And, after all, isn't
one reason why we live in this big world and
are so different one from another, that we may
learn from each other?
THE END.


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