University of Virginia Library

7. Meaning of New Year's

Always before the New Year's sets in, the parents gather little ones together and try to instill into them the meaning of the New Year's, so children, large and small, try their little best to be unusually good, docile, and obedient during this season. Though they play happy games throughout the entire day, yet they will endeavor to be as gentle and obedient as possible. Looking at a group of Japanese children sometime during the New Year's season, a Westerner is struck more than ever by the innate gentleness and refinement

of the people, which is shown even among the most boisterous of children. It is at this season, too, that the youngsters strive to show the best specimens of their penmanship, and try to outdo each other in obedience and goodness at this time.