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294
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
really it is a form of congratulation. That fellow is evidently
going somewhere to give an entertainment, and will not
condescend to stop and amuse us. Which way shall we
go?" " Towards Asakusa," said Sallie.
" Cho told me that this
is the festival of tori no machi, the last day of the rooster
in the month. I want to buy a kumade (bamboo rake)."
Oto laughed, and replied, " So you wish to rake in good
fortune next year. Well, you shall have one, Sallie."
On their way they heard a drumming noise, and, looking
into a house, beheld two children at play. One, who wore
a fox's mask, was dancing and waving a gohei, while the other
beat a drum. Seeing the strangers they stopped their performance,
and
"
the elder boy said to the other, Look at those
Chinese. Are they not comical? "
" "
Don't be rude," said Johnnie. Go on with your
dancing."
w He can speak our language," said the drummer to his
companion.
enough
" I thought those barbarians never had sense
for that."
"
Excuse his impudence," whispered Oto to Sallie.
" He is not as bad as the Cromlech boys," answered the
"
girl. For one rude speech made to us in Tokio, fifty were
addressed to you in our native place. What people are those
coming towards us?"
r?
Those are folks who have been to buy the kumade" said
the young doctor.
" The one on the right bears a picture of
the Takara-bune (treasure-boat), the boy is carrying a rake
decorated with a picture of Ota fuku men (goddess of good
fortune) and the one borne by the man on his right represents
a kane bako (money safe.)"
" How pretty that woman looks in her winter hood," said