None of the sturdy earth thumpers seemed to be overworked in the bracing air of the dam top, and they certainly looked picturesque with their white and blue towels round their heads. Indeed, with all the singing and movement, not to speak of the refreshment stalls, the scene was not unlike a fair. When we got back to the road again we passed through a well-watered rice district which was equal to the production of heavy crops. Only three years before it had been covered by a thick forest in which it was not uncommon for robbers to lurk. The transformation had been brought about by the construction of a dam in the hills somewhat similar to the one we had just visited. I could not but notice in this district the considerable areas given up to grave-plots. No crematoria seemed to be in use. There had been a newspaper proposal that in areas where the population was very large in proportion to the land available for cultivation the dead should be taken out to sea. Where land is scarce one sees various expedients practised so that every square foot shall be cropped. I repeatedly found stacks of straw or sticks standing not on the land but on a rough bridge thrown for the purpose over a drainage ditch. In this district land had been recovered from the sea. FOOTNOTES: [178] For an account of a vegetable wax factory, see Appendix XLVIII. [179] For further particulars of Eta in Japan and America, see Appendix XLIX. [180] See Appendix L. [181] In 1918 net profits of 33 million yen were made by cotton factories. The factories are anticipating sharp competition from China. CHAPTER XXVI THE STORY OF THE BLIND HEADMAN (EHIME) The thing to do is to rise humorously above one's body which is the veritable rebel, not one's mind.--MEREDITH