Direct From Japan.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8835, 15 July 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

Direct From Japan.

Kissing and shaking hands are rarely practised in Japan; they are imported customs.

Japanese mothers do not kins I heir children, thoii'.di they may press the lip t'» the forehead or cheek of ;, very little h.iliy. Sewing on billions is not- wifely duty in. Japan---I hero are no bullous on J,i|"nesc clothes.

Japanese inns furnish fresh tooth liruiilu'd every morning free to every guest. All of the rood served to a elicit, .it !i Japanese banquet .mil not consumed I')' him al the lime is lakeii lo bin home Itf Ihe servants of his host.

Japanese chopsticks are delivered to lb" guest, in a daintily de.oiale.l envelope. 'I li<> two sticks, already shaped, still form """ long shaped pece of wood and ere br'.l.ou aparl by the guest himself. Japan has one of the largest sleanic,lii|> companies in the world, with I rans l'ncillu services lo Hie I'niled Stales and t,cr\i'<> to Kngland by way of Suez ami the Mediterranean.

These are (ho "Som Ker" or 'lhree most lovely sights" of Japan: First, the s.'icml island of Miyajima, in the Inland Si.'H second, the loin', low sandy poniiisuU '»' Ama no hashidato, on the. western co.el ■', third, Hie arcl ipclago of Malsiishiina, jiwr Sendai, on the !'a< ifie shore.

11l feudal (l;ij'H, Japanese courtiers worn wide trousers twice .is long as 11 mm r l.'u" ; » so 1 lint they trailed after the wearer. I l '', lasco introdiicdl them in "The D.nlinir " f the (.oils," hut tliev so convulsed the maimgerial :iililieiice at 'the lirsl, rehear-al llwl; iiler.'illy, he hid to "cut. them out"- •■iiul off. Sake is made from rice. According '•» * Japanese drinking song : "When you drink sake You drink like the npriiit»l iinc, And the loud cries of iin|ulicnf. creditor* On the outside sound

Like the voices, of nightingales

Singing most sweetly!" The live articles of the .l.ij.inev,. soldiem are those: First, to be loyal; soco/id, to be polite; third, to be brave; fourth, to be simple and frugal. And Ihn-e hv" articles are delivered to him with a scricn of straight forward comments Hint conclude as follows ;—"ff (he lie.irl. be not. true, g'* l '' words and good conduct, arc nothing but useless external ornaincntn. If tho heart be true, you can accomnlish anything' Tho Japanoao hoart ui ovidently true.