GLIMPSES OF JAPAN 
Photo by W. W. Chapin ~ 
THE WAY WE ASCENDED KOYASAN (SEE PAGE IOOI) 
in Japanese banking houses. ‘Tourists 
who reported to the contrary probably 
based their statements on observations 
made in the Hongkong-Shanghai Bank- 
ing Corporation, where their letters of 
credit were payable. ‘This institution is 
a Chinese-English bank, and would natu- 
rally employ only its own countrymen. 
In recognition of Shintoism as the 
state religion, the Emperor every year, 
about the middle of May, sends a repre- 
sentative to Kioto bearing a message 
engrossed on a scroll. The imperial 
document is conveyed in this form to 
avoid the Emperor’s personal attendance. 
Our arrival in that city was timed so 
that we might witness the interesting 
event. Although we were unable to ap- 
preciate much of the significance of the 
strange scene, it was a rare opportunity 
for studying the people, who were there 
in great numbers, including many farm- 
ers and peasants from the interior, and 
all in holiday attire. The variety» of 
colors in the bright sunshine reminded 
one of views in a great kaleidoscope. 
The procession preceding the ceremo- 
nies consisted of priests, horsemen, and 
footmen, many of them wearing ancient 
costumes and armor of feudal times, 
with an occasional float decorated with 
brilliant blossoms, while the imperial 
message was borne in a large cart, 
handsomely decorated in gilt and bright 
colors, and drawn by two jet black bul- 
locks (see page 974). 
The children of Japan begin to take 
up life’s burdens and cares at a much 
earlier period of their existence than the 
children of America. Be they boy or 
girl, from the age of four or six the 
newer baby of the family becomes al- 
most their constant companion. In fact 
a close attachment suddenly develops, 
which daily fastens the little tot on the 
back of the other (see page 968). As 
both become accustomed to the situation 
a mutual love and fellowship springs up, 
and no inconvenience is expressed, even 
when the older is romping and playing 
tag, all unconscious that the little head 
behind is helplessly bobbing around as 
though about to drop off while baby 
sleeps. 
