Japanese New Year

506 IMPROVEMENT ERA

spread of Christianity, he is gradually extending his operations, and each year witnesses an increasing number of little hearts gladdened, and little faces made bright by his calls. For the Japanese boys and girls, a New Year's celebration takes the place of our Christmas. There is no "Saint Nick" to distribute presents, to be sure, but his place is filled by other loving hands and bright and early on New Year's morning, little brother and sister clad in their newest clothing start out to make their calls. The boy, if he be of school age, most probably donning his school suit of approved foreign pattern with shoes, stockings and cap to match, and little sister, without fail, in her long, flowing, brightly colored "kimono," resplendent with flower

Making a call.

patterns that seem to radiate color and light on all with whom she comes in contact. This "kimono" is fastened around the waist with a long silken belt, or sash, likewise patterned and brightly colored, which is tied in a large flat knot at the back, etxending almost to the shoulders. Thus arrayed and carrying with them a number of little cards on which their names are neatly engraven, they make their calls, stopping a few minutes at the homes of each of their playmates, to wish them a Happy New Year, or if they happen to be out, to merely leave one of their cards, which answers as well as a greeting. This over, they assemble in the streets, the boys to fly kites, the gills to play at battle-door, and shuttle-cock, or else are en-

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JAPANESE NEW YEAR 507

tertained at home or at the home of a friend, with card games, and a "mochi" (rice cake) feast. This latter is the universal delicacy at this period of the year, and is to a Japanese New ^ ear what nuts, candy, and other sweet temptations are to a Christmas at "home." "Mochi" is a soft cake made by first steaming and then pounding in a mortar, a certain kind of very glutinous rice, until it comes to a soft but substantial consistency. It is then cut up into small squares, or else moulded into little half balls, according to the locality in which it is made, and baked or toasted over a charcoal fire. When thoroughly brown on both sides it is eaten either with sugar, or several varieties of bean powder made for the occasion. New Year's day is the most important of all, but the festivities continue during the week following. The streets are filled with gaily clad, laughing, shouting children, and although the season is winter, the variety and mass of color displayed on "kimonos," sash, and fantastically painted wooden clogs, make the view as attractive as could the most gorgeous spring foliage.

Osaka, Japan.

My Mother I'll love you, mother dear, throughout my years. You gave me birth in anguish, pain, and tears; You nurtured me in helpless infancy, And watched beside my sick-bed wearily, Dear, patient mother.

In childhood, when my playmates caused me pain, And to my callow mind life seemed in vain, Whom did I seek to share my childish tears, To soothe my woes and 'lay my little fears? My dear, sweet mother. And now in manhood's years, when things go wrong, When hope is on the wane, and time seems long, That same sweet smiling face still brings me joy, And bids me do my duty— I'm her boy; God bless my mother. Kemmerer, Wyoming H. R. Harrison.