A JAPANESE FARMHOUSE. 97 



which is shut, in cold weather, as tightly as possible. The 

 preservation of the race under these circumstances results 

 entirely from the wretched construction of the houses, which 

 are as full of holes as a sieve, and therefore well ventilated. 

 The habit of huddling around these burning coals has un- 

 doubtedly tended to the development of diseased eyes, which 

 are very common, and caused much of that hollow-chested- 

 ness which is a national deformity. A Japanese farmhouse 

 is just about as comfortable in all weathers as a good canvas 

 tent, and the ordinary life of the people is a sort of gregarious 

 camp-life. Very little privacy is possible, and the household 

 conveniences are few and of the simplest sort. A portion 

 of the floor is generally of bare earth ; while the rest is of 

 wood, and raised above the ground about eighteen inches. 

 This is usually covered with thick straw-matting, upon which 

 the inhabitants sit and sleep as circumstances and feelings 

 dictate. They do not use chairs, but sit down upon their 

 heels, kneeling, and resting the instep upon the floor, with 

 the toes projecting behind. The bed, when one is wanted, 

 consists of a thin mattress of cotton or straw, which is spread 

 upon the floor; and the covering is a comfortable, or quilt, of 

 cotton. The pillow is a block of wood four or five inches 

 high, three inches wide, and from seven to nine inches long, 

 somewhat convex on the bottom, and concave on the top. 

 On this is laid a roll of cotton to serve as a pad for the head. 

 In reposing, this pillow is placed just under the ear, and is 

 said to be comfortable for those who are accustomed to it. 

 The object of such an extraordinary invention seems to be 

 to prevent the disarrangement of the hair, which is very 

 elaborately dressed, especially by the women. During the 

 da}^ the bedding is stored in closets constructed for this pur- 

 pose, and which serve also to contain any articles of spare 

 clothing. There are usually no tables in a Japanese farm- 

 house ; but the food is brought in on lacquered trays with 

 legs, which raise them a few inches from the floor. The 

 dishes from which the food is eaten are of lacquered wood 

 of the size and shape of a deep tea-saucer, and the knives, 

 forks, and spoons of Western civilization, are entirely replaced 

 by the much cheaper chop-sticks of cedar-wood. It is the 

 business of the cook to cut up and prepare food so that it 

 can be picked to pieces, and poked into the mouth with the 



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