Untitled

ONE OF THE GLORIES OF TOKIO. 35
They walked leisurely homeward, and passed through a
very busy quarter occupied by artisans, who worked in the
front rooms of their dwellings.
:r
Wait a moment," said Johnnie, stopping before the store
of a tatami-ya (floor-mat maker).
:?
Why do they keep that
rooster in a cage ? "
The artisan turned, and, smilingly regarding the speaker,
said:
"The bird is a very great pet. It has a most beautiful
song."
"Song?" interposed Fitz. "Does it sing?"
"Oh, yes,"
said the man.
:t You know the rooster is a
favorite bird of the gods. When Amaterasu came out of the
cave, the ondori sang a song of welcome, so we esteem the
amiable bird."
:f
Yes," said his mother, an aged dame, who wore a towel
about her head, and, like the man, had a pad fixed to her right
elbow, "we pay great respect to that bird. Would you like to
buy some nice mats for your house?"
"Let us go inside," said the Professor. "I want to see how
the tatami are made."
The man and woman bowed as the visitors entered, and the
dame, who was very smart, explained the process, then said:
"We make our mats of the very best rice straw; they are
six feet long, three feet wide and two inches thick, and the
edges are bound with strong blue cotton cloth."
"Why do you wear those pads on your elbows?" asked
Johnnie.
" We have to beat the mats smooth as we work it," she re-
plied, "and, if we did not protect our elbows, we should soon
wear them out."
"Then, why not buy a mallet?" suggested Sallie.