Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Jacob Mortimer Wier Silver

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9780265560389: Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs (Classic Reprint)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265560381 ISBN 13: 9780265560389

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

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Excerpt from Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs

It has several curious symbols, the most striking being huge aerial fishes, in imitation of the 'koi, ' or carp large crimson streamers, repre sentations of Gongen Sama crushing a demon; and the heads and tails of crayfish, with which they decorate their dishes and the entrances of their houses. The floating fish flag is hoisted over every house in which a boy has been born during the preceding twelve months, and is emblematical of his future career. AS the koi, ' or carp, ' which is very plentiful in Japan, finds its way up streams and rivers, surmounting all obstacles in its way, and rendering itself by its fecundity and edible qualities useful to the whole country, so the child is to make his way through life, boldly fulfilling his destiny, and proving himself a useful and beneficial member of the community. In the same way, the scarlet streamer indicates the birth Of a female child, and the domestic nature of her duties. The crayfish are used to remind the people of their humble origin (it being traditionary that the empire originated from a race of poor fishermen), and the consequent necessity of humility, temperance, and frugality, in their different stations in life.

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