Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/116

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Japanese Physical Training

seats himself on the crest, and enjoys to his fill the gloriousness of the cool night air. If the night is extremely cold, he garbs himself with sufficient warmth and walks until he is drowsy. When a Japanese exhibits signs of insomnia, it is regarded as certain proof that he is afflicted with mental worriment. Yet even this dread malady is cured when the night air is used in sufficient quantity.

There is another important way in which fresh air is utilised as a vitaliser. The native Japanese costume makes it possible for one to have a free circulation of night air that is impossible to a Caucasian who conforms to his own ideas of dress. The Japanese clothing is loose and flowing. There is no restriction of the air currents that should pass up and down the body in all kinds of weather. Even the Japanese who wear European clothing—and these nearly all are descended from the ancient samurai—take advantage, when possible, of such air-baths as may be had, both in the daytime and at night. He who can, walks in the forests with little or no clothing oppressing him. Entirely nude, the same man will walk