LIFE IN JAPAN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 911, 4 November 1933, Page 29 (Supplement)

LIFE IN JAPAN.

Taking Off Your Boots at the Door. Aunt Hilda has received a letter from a friend in Japan and extracts the following as of interest to Starlets: “ I am very happy here with my Japanese neighbours, who look after me well. I have a dear little flat consisting of two empty rooms and two verandahs. We do not need furniture, living Japanese style, but I have a basket chair and a small table. I really need only one room, for I have my meals on the front verandah, and boil water, wash up, etc., on the back verandah. At night I bring out mattresses ar 'o* dclothes from the Japanese wardi De, and spread them on the thickly matted floor. We do not wear shoes, not even slippers, in the 'ooms. Outdoor shoes are removed at the entrance to the house, and slippers put on: at the entrance to the room the slippers are taken off, and one kneels on a soft cushion. A guest is served with a bowl of Japanese tea and cake, perhaps; or, if a meal is served, tiny tables are brought in, with dainty food—more picturesque than wholesome, I think sometimes. Japanese people have a keen sense of their responsibility towards strangers, ar.d help in any way possible. If you ask your way, they are not content to point it out, but often will not leave you until they have taken you within sight of your destination; then, with a profound bow, thank you for your company, expressing pleasure at * the opportunity of conversation. Students, especially, are very earnest in their efforts to learn the international language, as they call English. “ The children next door are friendly little folk; there are six of them. We do not speak each other’s language, but understand the universal language and they love to be fondled. . “The home j;f e «[ n Japan is very beautiful. The women are devoted to motherhood, and both parents enjoy wu ir c hhdren and make chums of them /he common people may be called The people of a childlike heart.' So, this is a little glimpse of my life in Japan ...” THANK YOU. „ Our Page seems to have a chronic thank you " corner, for almost every week our little office bears traces of the generosity and effort of Starlets and parents. To those interested friends who sent small gifts and penny stamps to help the cause of suffering women and children, Aunt Hilda says a hearty and sincere thank you. a pity so much of this society’s good work has to be, from its very' nature, confidential, and the public does not realise the full protection afforded by it. Thank you, helpers of a good cause.—A.H. A GOOD SPIRIT. Aunt Hilda, —I have nothing ready for the Friday’s stall and I want to help very badly. Do you think if it is not too late, that instead of sending me a book you could put something in the stall? I shall feel I am doing my bit then. D.S. r —T: VALLEY LILIES. November is the time for smiling small lilies l For silver small lilies that tremble down a stem And satin leaves unfurl Round dainty bells of pearl A ringing tiny peals that tinkle Winter's requiem. But oh! It's homesick music for a green English coppice, A green English coppice where they grey long ago ; The pearls they say are tears For thought of buried years, Lily roots that crossed an ocean, Do you dream, do you know? November laughs in colour in our gay New Zealand garden, This gay New Zealand garden, where poplars form a glade, Weaving plumes of gladness; But an undertone of sadness Sighs in the silver sweetness of lilies in the shade! This was printed in our page two Novembers ago, but it is such a little r~m that we know you will enjoy r it again, as the lilies of -the valley are all in blossom at the present •time. - AH.