JAPANESE SANTA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 14, 14 December 1932, Page 14

JAPANESE SANTA

The children of the land of the Rising Sun know nothing of the mysterious joys of Christmastide Chris - mas as we know it-but the name o Hote“ or Hoteiosho a celebrated Chinese priest, revered for his consideration for children, means to the Japanese boys and girls what feanta Claus signifies to English boys and girls. f , Hotei, personified in Japanese art as a god of joviality and kindness, is represented with uai immense sack, gathering together good things tor Pis young Nipponese triends. Me is also with a lnrge bag on his shoulder, surrounded by sixteen playful boys. Hotei is said to have eyes in the back of Iris bend and to he able to see around corners, thus finding out whether the little ones are good or naughty, de£lrving of presents or not. The first dav of the New. \ear to the Japanese is a day of utllvcrsal rejoicing for both young and old. the ceremony of mamemaki, bean-throw-ing, is a popular feature of the preparations for his holiday. T here is a prevailing superstition among th Japanese that evil spirits about the house must be driven out before the dawn of the New \enr. On the last night of the old year the house is swept thoroughly and the windows and doors hung witli ferns. The f 3 ™ l ® of the house, dressed in Iris very best clothes, goes through all the rooms. The parent provides himself with a portion of dried beans and these he throws into the corners and other parts, crying aloud: “Demons depart! Good luck enter!” , , The young folk pick up the cry, frolicking and laugning, till the house has been covered thoroughly. Demons have a great aversion to beans, according to the belief of the Japanese.