Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... OBSERVANCES AND PASTIMES (Concluded) HE BOYS' FfiTE {TANGO) on the 5th day of the fifth month is a particularly conspicuous event owing to the fact that at every house where a male child has been born during the preceding twelvemonth a carp, made of paper or silk, is raised, banner-wise. The carp is attached by its mouth to the end of a flag-staff, and being inflated by the breeze, undulates overhead, so that, throughout the days of this observance, thousands of big fish seem to be writhing and gyrating above the roofs of the cities. In Japanese eyes the carp typifies indomitable resolution. As it sturdily faces the stream and leaps up the waterfall, so fond parents hope that their little lads will rise in the world and overcome all obstacles. The sweet-flag and the iris, now in full bloom, play a conspicuous part in this fete. Bunches of the former, together with sprays of mugwort (yomogi) are raised at the eaves of houses, and sake, seasoned with petals of the iris is the beverage of the season. Sprays of the sweet-flag that have thus been exposed are believed to imbibe the medicinal dew of heaven, and are consequently placed in the family baths for the invigoration of bathers. In the alcoves, warriors, battle-steeds, armour and weapons of war -- often beautiful and brilliant examples of skilled workmanship and decoration-- are ranged, but these relics of bygone days are fast losing their interest for the youth of the nation, and since it is impossible to combine picturesqueness with accuracy in any representation of the military uniforms and accoutrements of modern times, alcoves that used once to be crowded with gallant puppets in gorgeous panoply now make no contribution to the gaiety of the tango. Tradition tells us nothing certain...