330 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



of its brother or sister (usually the latter) and to go about with 

 them during the greater part of the day, and from that time spend 

 at least half the day in the open air. As soon as the child is old 

 enough and strong enough to run about, a small doll-like bundle 

 is strapped to its back, the weight of which is frequently increased 

 as the child grows stronger ; so, by the time the next arrival in the 

 family has put in an appearance, a well-broken and docile little 

 human " pack-horse " will be found ready for him. The newcomer 

 is put through a similar course of training in due time ; and so 

 on, and so on — but let us trust not ad infinitum ! 



The relations between parents and children are entirely natural, 

 free, and unrestrained. The truths of life and Nature are unfolded 

 to them as soon as the children are old enough to inquire about 

 them. Nothing is left for them to learn from outside sources. 

 The result of this perfect candor, so far from developing any un- 

 due precocity in the children, serves to preserve that indefinable, 

 unconscious grace, so beautiful in childhood, wbicb, by the secret 

 acquisition of some hidden knowledge, is so apt to be replaced by 

 that glance of definable conscious disgrace seen in the faces of so 

 many prematurely " old " children of the Occident. 



There are two national children's festivals during the year : 

 Sekku, for boys, and Ohinasama, for girls. SeJchu, or " boys' day," 

 is celebrated on the 5th of May. At this time gifts are made to 

 the boys of the home, and for every male child in the family a 

 huge paper carp (koi), of some brilliant hue, is hung out on a pole 

 above the house-top. During this festival a Japanese town looks 

 like a great aerial fish-pond. Ohinasama, " the honorable goddess 

 of maidenhood," rules Japanese homes on the 3d of March, pro- 

 vided there are any daughters in the household. It is virtually 

 " dolls' day," for all the dolls hold high carnival, and are brought 

 forth with all their belongings — such as miniature ceremonial tea- 

 sets, ornaments, and utensils — and set out in state ; while in the 

 tolconoma, or alcove, hangs a silken picture of Ohinasama her- 

 self ; and a vase filled with odorous blossoms is placed before her. 

 Presents to the daughters of the household, of flowers, cakes, and 

 sweets, are also in order. 



The school education of Japanese children begins at the age of 

 six years ; and in the primary departments the boys and girls are 

 taught together, although occupying different parts of the school- 

 room. It would be impossible, in this article, to discuss the 

 present status of education in Japan ; suffice it to say that there 

 are business colleges, mining and engineering schools, law schools, 

 universities, and even musical conservatories — all of which rank 

 most high. Regarding the education of women, this usually con- 

 sists in an eight years' grammar-school course, and frequently two 

 or three additional years in the shihan-gaklco, or normal school. 



