dot in the eyes. 1901, monster outings for children and work-men. One of the leading newspapers organised an excursion to Tōkyō for 120,000 operatives. But when this vast multitude neared the spot, only 5,000 were allowed by the police to proceed, and rioting ensued. A picnic of more manageable proportions was attended by 380 blind shampooers, who went out to see (?) the plum-blossoms at Sugita, and were made safe by means of a long rope, after the fashion of Alpine climbers. 1903, youths nourished on Schopenhauer and Nietsche took to practising "the denial of the will to live" by jumping into the great waterfall of Kegon at Nikkō. 1904, lantern processions to celebrate military successes.
Festivals. The holidays observed officially are:
Jan. 1, 3, 5.—New Year.
Jan. 30.—Death of Kōmei Tennō, the late Mikado, A. D. 1867.
Feb. 11.—Accession of Jimmu Tennō, the first Mikado, B.C. 660.[1] Promulgation of the Constitution, A. D. 1889.
March 20 (or 21).—Spring festival of the Imperial ancestors,—an adaptation of the Buddhist Higan, or Equinoctial festival of the dead, who are supposed to cross the ocean of existence and reach the other (hi) shore (gan), that is, Nirvana.
April 3.—Death of Jimmu Tennō.
Sept. 23 (or 24).—Autumn festival of the Imperial ancestors.
Oct. 17.—Offering of first-fruits to the Shintō gods.
Nov. 3.—Birthday of the reigning Emperor.
Nov. 23.—The Emperor tastes the first-fruits offered to his ancestors.
The observance of most of these holidays is as modern as the flags that are flown and the salutes that are fired in their honour. The occasions of them may serve as a measure of the all-engrossing importance of the Imperial House since the revolution. There is another set of holidays of more ancient institution, which, though perhaps less observed year by year, still live on in the thoughts
