THE FEAST OF THE DOLLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10653, 14 May 1895, Page 3

THE FEAST OF THE DOLLS.

{Detroit 'Free Press.) Spring is the most delightful season of the year in Japan. It is a perfect Paradise, this sun-rising country. All the flowers are in bloom, pleasing the eye with their delicate tints, and filling the balmy air with their fragrance. The birds “’are singing in the green foliage, and nature clothes herself in the colours of the rainbow. All over the country the people will sing and dance with delight in the joyous sunlight. It is at the beginning of this season that one of THE PBETTIEGT AND ODDEST CUSTOMS OT THE JAPANESE PEOPLE . is observed. It is the great holiday for the girls, called the “Feast of - Dolls,” or the “Feast of the Peaches,’-’ because it occurs at the time when the peach trees are in bloom. Although hold particularly for the young girls, the pleasures of the day are shared by their friends of the sterner sex. • The “ Momo-no-Sekku ” occurs on March 3—or really begins on the Ist and reaches the climax on the 3rd. This time is looked forward to with great expectation and preparation. The origin of this custom dates back nearly twenty centuries and some of the details are rather obscure. For instance', it is not known why it occurs on March 3 or why itia observed exclusively by unmarried girls. About twenty centuries ago Japan was governed by an emperor and his wife. This emperor was called Nin-toku Tenuo, and he was a great and good sovereign. Under his careful management the coffers of the treasury were filled to overflowing, and being of a charitable disposition he gave freely to all people. In this way he came to be greatly loved and respected by his subjects, who were the objects of hia care and consideration. At hia death, the whole country felt its loss very keenly, and went into mourning several we aka, during which time all business was suspended. In memory of their beloved rulero, the people made dolls to show their respect and affection for the dead, and dedicated them to their memory. This is the generally accepted origin of the " Momo-no-Sekku,” or the “Feast of the Dolls.” However, with the lapse of time this idea was done away with and the clay, is now dedicated to THE “GODDESS OP LOVE.” Until thirty years ago, during the feudal time, it was one of the national holidays, but it is not now one. Prom the end of February to March 3 every family having an unmarried daughter or daughters, is extremely busy making preparations for this holiday. In the first place,'a room is set aside in which the dolls are to be arranged. This is decorated with peach blossoms in a . very pretty manner. Against the walla of the room are arranged a series of shelves, covered with bright red and embroidered cloth. On the first tier one or two pairs of Hina (dolls) are placed, splen- . didly dressed in gold brocade of ancient style and which represent the emperorand empress. Oh the second tier are two royal guards and three Court ladies, one of these xb standing, while the other two are sitting. The one standing holds in her hand a small table on which ia a ceremonial wine cup. Sitting on the next tier are five dolls dressed as boy musicians in fine Court costume, one singing, one playing the flute, one the dram and the other two the large and small tsuzumi (a kind of drum). After these on the next and remaining tiers may bo seen many dolls, sometimes over one hundred, all dreesed very finely, representing some historical or

MYTHICAL CHARACTER RELATING TO WOMEN. Beside the dolls, there will be various kinds of dolls’ ornaments, furniture and decorations, such as table-sets, bureau boxes and many kitchen utensils, of small size, corresponding to the height of the dolls. These ornaments are all made.of finest lacquer and are very expensive, sometimes costing all the way from £2OOO to £4OOO. ; Of course, only the wealthier families can afford so much. The dolls are from two inches to a foot ' and a half in height, and’are also'quite ; expensive. People pay as high as £lO to • £2O for a pair of them. These dolls ate made by professionals and are .of very fine, workmanship. • Their sale begins some-: times in February, and the market where they are sold presents a very busy appear-' ance. • 1 ' When everything is in readiness, the.,.young ladies send out invitations to their relatives and gentlemen friends to come and visit their dolls. This is the only opportunity during the year for young ' people of both sexes to mingle in a friendly way, and they are not slow in taking advantage of it. The gentlemen send presents to the young ladies on. receipt of the invitations, consisting of dolls! ornaments, or a Kind of cake used as an ornament. All these presents; must have peach flowers in them. On the feast day the next room to the one in which the dolls ore is arranged as a banquetroom. This is artistically decorated: with . . peach and cherry blossoms and other. flowers of the season. In it isc all the . furniture belonging to the youag ladies, { and also THE GIFTS BENT BY THE YOUNG. MEN. On the arrival of the guests they are welcomed by the young ladies, who are ! dressed in their gayest attire of the colour of peach blossoms, and who wear peach blossoms in their hair. After the salutations are over the guests are led to the ; room where the dolls are arranged, and . are shown the dolls by the young ladies... This part of the programme over, they are escorted to the room where the banquet is to he held. The guests then sit down at small individual tables, and the feast begins. There is no regular menu, . but rice cake, cut in the shape of a dia- t mond, sweets, and other dainties are offered to the guests. Usually there is a kind of liquor called " Shiro-Sake” (a - sweet liquor made out of rice and resembling milk). All the cakes and other things ■ are painted with figures representing peach blossoms. After the banquet,which i does not last very,long, the company is entertained by musicians and dancers. This banquet sometimes takas jfiace at noon, but more often in the evening. JThe, ; nature of the feast depends upon _ the wealth and class and rank of the family ; ’ still the ceremony is about the same in all classes, and is SUPPOSED TO BE VERY FASHIONABLE. .• This is the only day of the year set aside , for the mutual amusement of young people, t _ for there is always a kind of restraint ' between the two sexes. The social custom of Japan is quite different from that of - other countries,' especially of the United ; States. The young ladies are not allowed to receive calls from gentlemen friends un- ; less their mothers are present. No young man would dare to invito his young lady friend to a public place without the con* 1 sent of her mother. A barrier exists, between the youilg people of opposite sexes as strong and insurmountable as the Chinese Wall itself. However, on this day the usual customs are thrown aside, and. the sexes mingle together unrestrained by stem parents. And who knows but on that lovely day, men and maidens take advantage of the only chance of the year • to choose a life partner ?