11. Courtesies to Foreigners
A word about the foreigners in Japan at this season. It must not be thought for a moment that in the
enjoyment of this happy time the Japanese forget the strangers on their soil. Any American who has visited Japan
at this time would tell you of the pains taken to show them every courtesy and make them feel perfectly at home
and welcome by all. The better class and wealthier Japanese often make a point of including the foreigners in
their round of visits, and many a happy foreigner will bring back to his own country beautiful and rare gifts
from generous and kindly disposed Japanese. But the most touching gifts they usually receive are those given them
by their servants or coolies, who are very poor. They take great pride at this time in making odd, unexpected
little gifts to their Americazan (American) or Egurisu (English) masters and mistresses, assuring them at the
same time that "they are a thousand thanks to them until before they die," because of the kindness and good
treatment they have received in the past from their foreign friends. And they bestow their gifts without any
thought of return.
