THE AINOS OF YEZO, JAPAN. 465 



grave and regarded the foreigners with great reverence. They then raised their 

 hands and placed them on top of their heads and brought their hands down over their 

 faces and beards and uttered a whining noise, ending with a sharp cry like the bark 

 of a dog. 



I have never seen this ceremony carried out in full, as described, but I 

 doubt not the description is correct, for I have observed both the hold- 

 ing of the hands together and the strokiDg of the beard. Auother form 

 of the ceremony (PI. cvn) represents the meetiug of brother and sister, 

 also from Mr. Greey. 



The man held the woman's hand for a few seconds, then suddenly releasing his 

 hold, grasped her by both ears and uttered the Aino cry. Theu they stroked oue 

 auother down the face and shoulders. 



This form did not come under my observation, nor did I witness any 

 such performances as the same author describes in the meeting of father 

 and son. 



MARRIAGE CUSTOMS. 



The best account of the marriage customs is that given by Dr. 

 Scheube, from which the following particulars are abstracted: the 

 Amos marry early, the men at about the age of 18, the women at 1G; 

 polygamy is permitted, but not much practiced; morality between the 

 unmarried is not very strictly enforced, but children born through such 

 relations are no bar to future marriage. 



The marriage customs resemble those of the Japanese. The parents 

 usually select wives or husbands for their children. A young man 

 rarely courts his wife directly, but through a go-between. As soon as 

 the matter is satisfactorily arranged by the latter, the young man 

 sends a portion of sake" to the parents of his intended bride. After 

 some time the latter sends a gift of sake and an inao, or God-stick, to 

 the bridegroom. This is a sign that the marriage is to take place on 

 the next day. In the evening of that day the neighbors assemble at 

 the house of the bridegroom's parents. The bride comes in company 

 with her parents and the intermediary. They depart about midnight 

 to re-assemble the next morniug, and the feasting goes on for 2 or 3 

 days, according to the circumstances of the young couple, who from 

 henceforth live in the house of the man's parents. 



Not many children are born ; usually 3 or 4, and more boys than 

 girls. The children are suckled until 4 or 5 years of age. 



Divorces are not common. A man can only send his wife back to her 

 parents by obtaining their consent. 



BURIAL CUSTOMS. 



Burial usually takes place ou the day of death or on the following 



day. The friends and relatives assemble, bringing with them food and 



sake, which are placed before the body and, after the burial, shared by 



all in common. The corpse is clothed and placed in a wooden coffin, 



H. Mis. 129, pt. 2 30 



