Feast of Dolls.
And then there is the feast most loved in the whole year, the Feast of Dolls, when on the third day of the third month the great fire-proof store-house gives forth its treasures of dolls,—in an old family, many of them hundreds of years old,—and for three days, with all their belongings of tiny furnishings, in silver, lacquer, and porcelain, they reign supreme, arranged on red-covered shelves in the finest room of the house. Most prominent among the dolls are the effigies of the Emperor and Empress in antique court costume, seated in dignified calm, each on a lacquered dais. Near them are the figures of the five court musicians in their robes of office, each with his instrument. Beside these dolls, which are always present and form the central figures at the feast, numerous others, more plebeian, but more lovable, find places on the lower shelves, and the array of dolls’ furnishings which is brought out on these occasions is something marvelous....
Feast of Flags.
As the Feast of Dolls is to the girls, so is the Feast of Flags to the boys,—their own special day, set apart for them out of the whole year. It comes on the fifth day of the fifth month.... When the great day at last arrives, the feast within the home is conducted in much the same way as the Feast of Dolls. There are the same red-covered shelves, the same offerings of food and drink; but instead of the placid images of the Emperor and Empress and the five court musicians, the household furnishings, and toilet articles, there are effigies of the heroes of history and folk-lore.... Behind each figure stands a flag with the crest of the hero in miniature. The food offered is mochi wrapped in oak leaves, because the oak is among trees what the carp is among fishes, the emblem of strength and endurance. The flower of the day is the iris or flag, because of its sword-shaped leaves,—hence the name, Shobu Matsuri, feast of iris or flag.[31]
Playground movement in Japan.
It is a matter for heartfelt rejoicing that the Japanese Government has seized upon the idea of the Playground Movement as one of the really essential activities of some of the great Christian nations, and is introducing playgrounds for the benefit of Japanese children, who certainly deserve a suitable place and opportunity to follow their instinct for play. We hope that hammocks and sandpiles for babies will soon eliminate one feature of the play hour which is described by many missionaries and tourists.
“We have such hosts of children here in Tokyo,” writes Mrs. J. K. McCauley. “We go out and see boys on high stilts, with babies on their backs, and we tremble lest they fall and drop the baby; but I have never heard of one who did; and we see girls, jumping the rope with babies on their backs, and playing battledore and shuttlecock, dodging, hopping, stooping, and the wee baby’s head bobbing up and down, laughing, and sometimes crying; but the playing goes on, winter, summer, no matter how cold, unless raining or snowing. The streets swarm with children, with bright colored kimonos, bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and on wooden shoes, making such a clatter; but seldom are they noisy in their play, but fun-loving as any children in the world!”[32]
Other lands feel the need of play.
That other lands than Japan are beginning to be aroused on the subject of Child Play by America’s example is proved by the fact that in April, 1913, letters were received by the Playground and Recreation Association of America from Persia, Russia, China, and Uruguay regarding recreation in those countries. The suggestion is made that perhaps as Rome gave to the world law, and Greece gave art, so America may contribute play as her share towards the world’s progress.
Games that are known the world over.