64
JAPANESE FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.
and the princesses with silver implements, collect mulberry leaves to fed the imperial sikworms. They then wind off some cocoons of silk, and so end the ceremony. This very ancient festival is considered as the counterpart of the agricultural one observed by the emperor in the spring.-October.
SIEN-FUNG YANG-SZ'YE-YE.-lord of the Front Spear; worshiped to obtain success and profit in life and business.---Oct. 17th.-IXth moon, 17th day.
WA-KWANG TA-TI.-god of Fire; worshiped by all classes with great parade to pre- serve houses and shops from fire. The temples dedicated to this idol in the city of Canton are more numerous than to any other deity.-Oct. 28th.-IXth moon, 28th day.
TUNG-HWANG TA-TI.-Eastern August Great Ruler; a god of the Rationalists.-- Oct. 30th.--Xth moon, 1st day.
TATSIAU. The nine gods of the Great Bear descend; worshiped by the Rationalists, and generally also by the people, tradesmen, and others, for peace. This period is usually chosen for worshiping wandering spirits as well as these gods; the rites are called Ta tsiau. They are in Canton, among the most showy idolatrous ceremonies. People living in three or four streets combine, and ornament the streets with chandeliers, puppets, figures, and scrolls, and fit up a room for religious exercises to appease the wandering kwei.-Oct. 1st. ---7th. Xth moon, 1st to 9th day.
TAU SHIN LIU Sz'.--god of Small-pox; his name was Liú, and he is accommodated with a niche in other temples.-Nov. 13th.-Xth moon, 15th day.
Tzs'
PEH-KIH TZS' WI.-Also Wú Yoh, Wú Tí, the festival of gods of the Five Hills and the Five Rulers, names of five places and five deities collectively worshipped. The Five Hills are Tai shan in Shantung, Hang shan in Húnan, Hwa shan in Shensi, Hang shan in Chihlí, and Sung shan in Honan. The Five Rulers are the Azure, Red, Yellow, White and Black, Shangtí.-Nov. 25th.-Xth moon, 27th day.
FESTIVAL OF CONFUCIUS.--Confucius born; his festival observed by officers of gov- ernment and scholars, who repair to his temple.-Dec. 2nd.-XIth moon, 4th day.
TUNG CHI.—or winter solstice, a festival observed by all classes; it is also called Cháng chí tsieh, or the time when the long days come, because then the sun begins to re- turn, and the days grow longer. Officers go in state to worship the Emperor's tablet, and the people adore their lares.-Dec. 10th.-XIth_moon, 12th day.
KWANYIN.-Festival of Kwányin. She has three during the year, all of which are observed by the people. Dec .14th-XIth moon, 16th day.
ОMETO FUн, the present Budha.-Dec. 15th.-XIth moon, 17th day.
JAPANESE.
REIBI. The 1st, 15th and 28th of every month throughout the year are holidays called Reibi, or days for visiting.
NEW YEAR'S DAY.-The first seven days of Shogwats (first month), or of the New Year, are festival holidays, and on these days congratulatory visits are exchanged.
HATSMOMA. The 1st day of Nigwats (second month) is called Hatsmoma, the Feast
of Inari, the Patron of Farmers against fire and thieves.
MOMO-NE-SEKI, or DOLL FEAST.-The 3rd of Sangwats (third Month) is a special holiday for the Girls, and is called Momo-no-seki, or the Doll feast.
TANABATA. This is a holiday for homage to the Milky Way, or Heavenly River, on the 7th Schi-gwats (seventh month).
BONTORO.-The 14th, 15th and 16th of Schi-gwats (seventh month) are special holi- days called Bontoro, or the Feast of the Ancestors.
TJOEGEN.-The Feast of Tjoegen, or middle of the year, occurs on the 15th Schi- gwats (seventh month).
MOON FEAST.This occurs on the 15th Ha-chi-gwats (8th month).
LONG LIFE FEAST.-This Feast day is a special holiday, and takes place on the 9th Ku-gwats (9th month). It is also called the Gold-flower feast.
INOGO.-A feast day on 1st Jiu-gwats (10th month).
KOMPIRA.--The feast of Kompira is on the 10th Jiu-gwats (10th month).
HATS-GA-YEBIS.--The 20th of Jiu-itchi-gwats (11th month) is called Jebis, and is
dedicated to the God of Trade, called Hats-ga-yebis.
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