8 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



times the story of the utai is told in prose to the eager group of 

 children gathered around the glowing brazier, or hibachi. The 

 latter, it must be confessed, in spite of its cheery appearance, ra- 

 diates but a scant amount of heat in comparison with the open 

 grates of the Occident. Such a family group may be seen in 

 thousands of homes in Tokyo alone, on a winter's afternoon ; the 

 boys, if back from school, resting contentedly on the white tatami, 

 or studying the morrow's lessons in some quiet nook ; the little 

 maidens, demurely grouped about the hibachi, busily plying their 

 needles, while listening to some story told by the old aunt or 

 nurse, that may be acting as instructress. The contented hum of 



Singing Girls playing on the Koto and Samisen. 



the quaint old iron kettle, resting over the glowing coals, sup- 

 ported by an iron tripod thrust into the ashes of the hibachi, sug- 

 gests its entire readiness to assist in the preparation of tiny cups 

 of fragrant tea for any chance guest that arrives, or for any mem- 

 ber of the family that wants a steaming cup of this delicate bev- 

 erage — which is so much more dainty and delicious as prepared 

 and drunk by the Japanese than by us. 



It is then that the telling of stories finds its place in Japanese. 

 The deeds of heroes, the romances of ancient dynasties, mystical 

 lore, stories of ghosts and ghouls, and of the wicked and revenge- 

 ful deeds of fox or badger sprites — this folk lore, historical or 

 mythical, as it may be, has become so blended with the home life 



