THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



among the most refined usages of po- 

 lite society. The customs of these 

 gatherings are so peculiarly charac- 

 teristic of the Japanese that few for- 

 eign observers have an opportunity 

 of attending them. These are the 

 tea-parties of a semi-literary or aes- 

 thetic character, and the ceremoni- 

 ous Chd-no-yu. In the first prevails 

 the easy and unaffected tone of the 

 well-bred gentleman. In the other 

 are observed the strictest rules of eti- 

 quette both in speech and behavior. 

 But the former entertainment is by 

 far the most interesting. The Japan- 

 ese love and taste for fine scenery 

 is shown in the settings and sur- 

 roundings. To this picturesque out- 

 look, recitals of romance and im- 

 promptu poetry add intellectual 

 charm to the tea-party. 



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