The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 22, 1901, Page 11

THE SUNDAY CALL 11 the time he has them both posed to become so attached factor that he will k o ss ages without any more h the Tittle wor It is not an unusual t to . nfirmed one-eyed “Darama’ over s . most bu: and in the s w s u < e t found the nily soul we 2 > of a kneel and his fa rese pro- ealings will pay n dipiomacy will al the ct est infancy olite boy” to play ight tt dom of diplu- which can be is an Amer- Fukoruku Ji large head and ual forehead. This growth tesquely wi important god in an 3 ihe and ad of a ser- pa’ is an excellent thing be s drowning are recorded, the main s of v e son t t this “Kappa” lives o ce i tk gud 1 is ever on the lookout fe pref little by and glrls that venture near pools of water in search of tadpoles. If they take along a *ucumber, however, and throw it into the water he will not be quite so ravenous, but the wisest plan, and the one most uni- versally observed by the children, is to keep well out of his reach. The “Sohji” in his own kingdom is an influential myth. He is the god of Bac- chus, and with his long shaggy red beard and flying locks of hair delights in gath- ering up the victims of over-indulgence. He is always on hand at picnics and pub- lic gatherings where “sake” is taken, and he also has a propensity to lurk about the corners of the dining-room to see if he can grab an over-greedy soul. His long arms are knotted with muscles, developed from long use In taking his victims to his lair by the sea where he turns them into imps or something, The Japanese are a little dense on just what the “Sohji” does with these foiks that he flies away with, but they know that hone of them ever return to tell the tale. Then in the toy stalls are dragons, horned and unhorned, with serpents’ bod- ies, deer horns, hawk claws and fish scales. The nice part about these is that they come in colors so one can, should his esthetic soul require it, have a dragon to match his kimono, green, violet, red, yellow, black and white. The violet dragon is about the most desirable, for while the others are likely to kill babies and spit fire about, where fire is not wanted, the violet dragon is credited only with drop- ping balls of pure crystal from his forked tongue. The young dragons are supposed to sing, 50 on nearly all musical instru- ments or anything that emits a sound of harmony a dragon is painted or cngraved. There is a tiger cat, with a 1z ling mustache, which extends several inches each side of its puffy cheeks.. Leary locking eyes and a raking expression in general has this tiger cat, for his head is on a spring which extends, giving a most life-like appearance to the burlesque on that most graceful imal. The ‘“Monotaro,” or ‘‘peachling, the little boy who, when a poor man with no chil- dren walked under a peach tree fell to the ground and emerged from the cracked surface of the fruit, is symbolized by a peach body, boy's head, arms and feet. This little fellow was taken home by the man, who fed him milk and rice. Immedi- ately he showed great strength and in. tellect, was the means of bringing riches ge brist- to h fust he and tale ends he overcomes who lived on a treasurs “Monotaro” chopped off the head this monster, who kept his money all to himself, took the treasure home, whers adopted father and mother, before the bad glant he helped many poor people, and whers he was also much loved by horses and dogs. Whole branches of these “Mono- s" dangle from the toy stores and hey are nearly always in dema for are ble vice to d de one's be kind to animals The animated teakettle is ome of the most r of Japanese fa'ry tales. From t inated that trite saying “A On many decorated 1 Japanese paint- ebrated teaket- The story, g like thi e night a good temple of Morinjl, er of rice and tea; the kettle sang mer- r the coals. After the ¥ the hearth cleaned the priest at’ warming his hands over the blaze, when his eyes chanced to fall teakettle he saw that the badger's nose. Blink- he looked again, and saw four y legs and a bushy tail. Then this compound of half-flesh, half-metal Jumped off the hook, capered about on the in the the fire flic rily as it huw floor, beat a tune on his metal body, scampered over shelv books, and made such a commo 5 that the good priest was frantic. The next day he sold the > & tinker, who, hav- ing an orlginal turn, hired a press agent and heralded the ‘news about the land that he would give a novelty—a grand kettle performance. >eople through curiosity came from far and near to see the wonderful kettls, whic walked on the t rope, danced izs and drummed on his body to the de- ht of everybody. The tinker grew ric nd d, the badger died, but the ki an be seen to this day, preserved in of the temples, and the tiny counter- f it are popular toys with the lit- brown men. quaintest of all, and the s custom, is the presentation “puppy cats,” so named Hyde because they resemble both Not being able to . a compromise was it 1s, with a dear e. These symbols sed to bring good luck, health intellect to the hous: and home is he are suppe d great wherever a ored with child < ome W offerings of pupp: ones an h long are sent by grave old philosophers imal in its supposedly orig- about a foot high. here are the fete day tovs and s. Long bamboo branches much befeathered with green and gold, little disks hanging therefrom—are car- rled about from h to house. Some- imes the childre on dragon masks over mischievous looking faces and go about New Year’s morning with these of- terings. Into the house they prance, with out knock or greeting, jump and caper about, until a rin—about a twentieth of a cent—is offered them. Then they leave a lucky wand and depart on their way to the next residence. On fete days men and women join m the most popular game of battledcor and shuttlecock. Dignified business men with their long silk kimonos, little doll-faced women, looking like gorgeous butterflies in their violets and yellows, gather on the lawn and enter into the game with great enjoyment. As a forfeit for losing is a smirch of black on the face, It is quite amusing to see an unlucky player with the criss-crosses marring his fea- tures. The battledoors used are elaborate most of them being decorated mbols of patriotism, old-time war b s be While in the Japane £ most popular. Miss Hyde mastercd that is, emough of it to carry on conversation, and this was the cause of much satisfaction to er e maid Toyo and the boy U yama. had etry In her little Griental heart, and when Miss Hyde of- fered her a present ju re she sailed for home Toyo made a happy reply that too pretty ta be lost. Going to a little mirror that had been much used, she said as she salaamed, touch! her tle forehead to the floor, “It is , for in it has been mir- h I love and the faces of 3 ds whom 1 admire.” So declining the more costly present little oyo preferred one that would briag her the most tender recollections. If that is not peetry, it is something far more rare. One should be tempted to steal a mald capable of making such & reply. Uchiyama also gave proof of his devo- tion, for he insisted that the household goods of Miss Hyde be not sold. *“I us store them,” he requested. “Bu said she, “it may be years before I re- turn.” However, Uchiyama insisted, say- ing that ten or twenty years might pass and vet the goods would be safely await- ing her. So, the last vision of her beau- tiful little home in, Nikko is peopled with the faithful Toyo and Uchiyama packing the mats, jars, stools and dishes which are to repose peacefully in the “godown™ (cellar) until she shall return to claim them.