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    Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs
    Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs
    Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs
    Ebook133 pages1 hour

    Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs

    By J. M. W. (Jacob Mortimer Wier) Silver

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    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArchive Classics
    Release dateNov 15, 2013
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      Book preview

      Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs - J. M. W. (Jacob Mortimer Wier) Silver

      The Project Gutenberg eBook, Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs, by J. M. W. Silver

      This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

      almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or

      re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

      with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

      Title: Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs

      Author: J. M. W. Silver

      Release Date: July 29, 2004 [eBook #13051]

      Language: English

      Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

      ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF JAPANESE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS***

      E-text prepared by Doshisha University, Michael Ciesielski, Sandra Brown,

      and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

      SKETCHES

      OF

      JAPANESE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

      BY

      J.M.W. SILVER,

      LIEUTENANT ROYAL MARINES, LIGHT INFANTRY.

      (LATE OF THE ROYAL MARINE BATTALION FOR SERVICE IN JAPAN)

      Illustrated by Native Drawings,

      REPRODUCED IN FAC-SIMILE BY MEANS OF CHROMO-LITHOGRAPHY.

      LONDON:

      1867

      TO

      COLONEL SIR EDMUND SAUNDERSON PRIDEAUX,

      BART.

      DEAR SIR EDMUND,

      These few 'Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs' were collected during the years 1864-5, at which time I was attached to the Battalion of Royal Marines for service in Japan, and it is now very pleasing to have the privilege of dedicating them to one who was the friend and companion-in-arms of my late Father.

      In memory of this bond of friendship, and in grateful acknowledgment of the many kindnesses you have shown me, this Dedication of my humble efforts to assist in the elucidation of the social condition of a distant and comparatively unknown race, affords me deep gratification.

      With much respect and esteem, I am,

      Dear Sir Edmund,

      Very faithfully yours,

      J.M.W. SILVER.

      Royal Marine Barracks, Forton,

             January 29th, 1867.

      CONTENTS.

      FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

      FIRES AND FIRE-BRIGADES

      DOMESTIC LIFE

      THE TYCOON, DAIMIOS, AND ARISTOCRACY

      THE COURT OF THE MIKADO

      THE 'HARA KIRU'

      NATIONAL GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS

      CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

      SUPERSTITIONS AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES

      ON THE TOKAIDO AND IN THE TEA-HOUSES

      THE SPY SYSTEM—THE BATH-HOUSE

      LOVE OF FLOWERS

      LIST OF PLATES.

      TITLE.

      FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF THE BIRTH OF CHILDREN.

      MERCHANTS' GREAT FESTIVAL.

      OTINTA LAMA.

      A FIRE-BRIGADE ON ITS WAY TO A FIRE.

      A JAPANESE WEDDING.

      A DAIMIO PAYING A STATE VISIT.

      A DAIMIO AND FAMILY WITNESSING FIREWORKS.

      A MINISTER OF THE MIKADO ON A RELIGIOUS EXPEDITION.

      THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE IN FRONT OF THE MIKADO'S PALACE.

      LADIES OF THE MIKADO'S COURT PERFORMING THE BUTTERFLY DANCE.

      THE TYCOON'S MESSENGERS READING THE SENTENCE.

      THE SACRIFICE.

      A DAIMIO'S FUNERAL.

      CREMATION OF THE BODY.

      RELATIVES COLLECTING ASHES.

      PUBLIC WRESTLING IN THE GREAT AMPHITHEATRE AT VEDDO.

      INTERIOR OF A THEATRE.

      MODE OF CONDUCTING A CRIMINAL TO EXECUTION.

      LONINS, OR OUTLAWS, ROBBING A RICH MERCHANT'S HOUSE.

      EXPOSURE FOR INFIDELITY.

      SELLING INDULGENCES BY PUBLIC AUCTION.

      PRAYING A SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.

      SUDANGEE, OR LAST OFFICES.

      A BAKER'S SHOP.

      A TEA-HOUSE MERRY-MAKING.

      UYA, OR BATH-HOUSE.

      A FLOWER SHOW.

      BOOK COVER.

      FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF THE BIRTH OF CHILDREN

      MERCHANTS' GREAT FESTIVAL

      JAPANESE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

      CHAPTER I.

      FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS.

      The first feature of Japanese life that prominently presents itself to the notice of the stranger, is the number of festivals and holidays held in honour of the various deities, warriors, and sages, or in accordance with some ancient custom of the county, which is as paramount an authority as the most stringent of its laws. Of these festivals, the 'Oki-don-tako,' or 'Great Holiday,' which takes place about Christmas, and lasts a fortnight, is the most important. Previous to its celebration, it is customary with the people to settle accounts, and amicably adjust any quarrels or estrangements that may happen to exist; and they evince the same spirit that actuates Christian nations at this season, by a general interchange of presents and complimentary visits with their friends and acquaintance. So anxious are the merchants to take this opportunity of settling with their creditors, that, when the dealers have deficiencies to make up, articles are frequently pressed on foreign residents at the Treaty Ports at prices previously refused.

      The 'Gogata Seku,' the emblems of which form the first subject of illustration, is also a festival of great importance: it takes place about the middle of June, which is the fifth month of the Japanese calendar, from which it derives its designation, and is kept up with more than ordinary spirit during the three days of its continuance. It is held in commemoration of Gongen Sama, the great general to whom the present dynasty owes its existence; and the Japanese date their births from this festival, even if born the day after its last celebration.

      It has several curious symbols, the most striking being huge aerial fishes, in imitation of the 'koi,' or 'carp;' large crimson streamers, representations of Gongen Sama crushing a demon; and the heads and tails of crayfish, with which they decorate their dishes and the entrances of their houses. The floating fish flag is hoisted over every house in which a boy has been born during the preceding twelve months, and is emblematical of his future career. As the 'koi,' or 'carp,' which is very plentiful in Japan, finds its way up streams and rivers, surmounting all obstacles in its way, and rendering itself by its fecundity and edible qualities useful to the whole country, so the child is to make his

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