Arthur H. Crow

This village in appearance might belong to Switzerland were it not for its nut-brown, nude inhabitants, who are now, with their children, gossiping in the single street, enjoying a rest in the cool of the twilight after their hot day's work. A rippling crystal brook runs down the centre of the street, a never-failing source of cleanliness and health. It is crossed here and there by little stone bridges, and supplies a few tanks, to which girls are constantly running with wood buckets wherewith to supply the evening tub. Everybody seems to be utilizing the brook for something or other.

The apparent sociability and happiness of this little community is quite a pleasure to see. While waiting outside the Ken- cho's house, the whole of the children gathered around us, laughing, chasing each other, and playing the same infantile pranks out little ones at home are so fond of. This spirit of fun was rather a surprise to us, as the generality of children we have so far seen in Japan were grave, old-fashioned little things, quite above any mischief. Many of the little girls had babies on their backs, sometimes almost as large as themselves, though in this instance it did not prevent them from indulging in a game very like " tick."