ORIENTAL SHOOTING MATCHES
These matches were played with little rods, which the players had to throw into a long-necked and narrow-mouthed vase.
According to the Book of Rites, the host at a dinner party had to offer these arrows to his guests, and it was their duty to refuse them at first, but after some pressing to accept them. A servant then brought a vase on to the table, and the guests threw each two or four arrows into its mouth. At rich dinner-parties each arrow that entered the vase was saluted with a burst of music from the orchestra. A horse or a carriage was given to the player who succeeded in putting all his arrows into the vase.
Our forefathers asserted that the character of a man could easily be told by his manner of playing this game. Suspicious and timid people threw their arrows for the most part askance, whilst weak-minded men invariably missed the mark. To succeed once and to miss twice was a sign of a want of perseverance, for to get the arrow exactly into the mouth of the vase a sharp eye and a good aim are necessary, and it will not do to do too much or too little. The throw must also be straight, and the aim exactly at the centre, and this, in conformity with human principles about straightforwardness and moderation, our forefathers used also to think that the activity put into play at this game resembled that of the conscience. To miss one’s aim with an arrow was equivalent to neglecting a duty. The rule was to reflect with prudence, and to throw with measure. He who did this was fitted to become an able statesman.
One wins without manifesting pride or showing his delight, another cheats or tries to draw too near the mark. These different ways of acting enable one to distinguish between honest and dishonest people.
To conclude, men used thus to be judged formerly by trifles of small importance in themselves, but which became powerful auxiliaries of truth. And it was for that reason that our ancestors included this game in their rituals.