[40] Formerly this was the case, but now the obi is tied in front merely out of deference to old custom. The ancient sumptuary regulations have been abolished long ago.
[41] This involves a pun on the words j�ro (女郎 “a harlot�) and j�ro (上臈 “a lady in waiting attached to the court.�)
[42] Movement in favour of the abolition of licensed prostitution.
[43] Millionaires.
[44] Toshi-koshi. The ceremony of scattering parched peas about in an occupied house to drive out evil spirits, crying aloud the while “fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto,� (good fortune is within, and devils outside). This ceremony is also known as “mame-maki� (bean throwing) and “oni-yarai� (casting out devils.)
[45] A fête in honour of the god of trade and industry.
[46] Saruhiki. One who goes about getting money by leading a monkey who performs tricks.
Dai-kagura. A kind of dance performed in the streets by boys wearing wooden lion-head masks. Also called “Shishi-mai.�
[47] Inari. Goddess of rice (written with the two characters 稲� = “rice bearing�). Inari is sometimes spoken of as the “fox-deity,� but the foxes appear to be mere guards to the temples dedicated to the Goddess. There is more or less confusion as to the sex of Inari as sometimes “she� (sic) is represented as a bearded man!
[48] Kagura. An old Japanese dance which may yet be seen in the grounds of certain temples. The performers wear masks and quaint gowns of real or imitation damask. The kagura mentioned above was probably a profane invention of a comic nature.