[52] For instance, “such an attire as Japanese clogs, flannel drawers, swallow-tail coat, and opera hat” has been seen; and another witness testifies to the “oddest mixtures of evening dress and bathing suits, naked legs with a blouse and a foreign hat, high boots with a _kimono_, legs and head Asiatic with trunk European, or _vice versa_, with endless combinations and variations.” There is a great variety, with all kinds of fits and misfits. [53] Chamberlain. [54] “The Wee Ones of Japan,” by Mae St. John Bramhall, can be recommended. [55] See Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. xiii. pp. 114-137; and “A Japanese Bride,” by Rev. N. Tamura, is admirable. [56] See Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. xix. pp. 507-544. [57] See chap. xx. of Hearn’s “Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan.” [58] See Appendix, and Clement’s “Japanese Floral Calendar.” [59] See chapter on “Children’s Games and Sports” in “The Mikado’s Empire.” [60] See chap. xx. of “The Yankees of the East” (Curtis). [61] See Hancock’s “Japanese Physical Training.” [62] On the subject of the Japanese theatre and drama, see McClatchie’s “Japanese Plays” and Edwards’s “Japanese Plays and Playfellows.” [63] See Norman’s “Real Japan,” chap. ix. [64] The best books on this subject are Mitford’s “Tales of Old Japan,” Miss Ballard’s “Fairy Tales from Far Japan,” Griffis’s “Fire-Fly’s Lovers,” Mme. Ozaki’s “Japanese Fairy Book,” and the series of crêpe booklets of “Japanese Fairy Tales,” published by the Kobunsha, Tōkyō. [65] See “Japanese Calendars,” Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. xxx. part. i. [66] The sixty-first year of a person’s life is of special interest, because it is the first of a second cycle of sixty years. [67] “The vast rice crop is raised on millions of tiny farms; the silk crop in millions of small, poor homes; the tea crop on countless little patches of soil.”—LAFCADIO HEARN. [68] The Japanese seem to have no nerves; or, at least, their nervous system is much less sensitive than ours. [69] See Baron Shibusawa’s opinion, pp. 40-43. [70] But “the peasantry is, in the main, honest.” [71] See “Japanese Calendars,” Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. xxx. part i. THE LAND OF APPROXIMATE TIME. Here’s to the Land of Approximate Time! Where nerves are a factor unknown, Where acting as balm are manners calm, And seeds of sweet patience are sown. Where every clock runs as it happens to please, And they never agree on their strikes; Where even the sun often joins in the fun, And rises whenever he likes. —_Jingles from Japan._ [72] For particulars on this point, see chapter on “Æsthetic Japan.” [73] See “Scribner’s Monthly” for January, 1895. [74] Chamberlain’s English version is found in Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. x., Supplement. [75] Aston’s English version is found in Transactions Japan Society, London, Supplement. [76] See Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. xvi. pp. 39-75.