Volume II Part 9 (1/2)

I alear japanese clothes in the house, of course We rest, eat, talk, read, and sleep on the floor But then, you do not know, perhaps, what a japanese floor is It is like a great soft mattress: the real floor is covered by heavy e; and these cannot be lifted up except by a work Then this floor is spotlessly clean No dust is ever suffered upon it,--not a speck Therefore we live barefooted in sus in winter The bed consists of a series of heavy quilts of pretty colours--like very thick comforts, piled one upon the other on the floor By day these are rolled up and stowed out of sight So in a japanese house you see no furniture,--only in so picture painted on silk That is all--except the s-box (_hibachi_) in the -cushi+ons

In the evening the japanese bath is ready It is _alet used to; but the best in the world because you can't take cold after it It consists of an immense tub, with a little furnace _in_ it which heats the water For amusements we have the japanese theatres, the street-festivals, visits of friends, japanese newspapers, occasional pilgrihts in so

Bad boys,--and not obliged to give good and great moral examples,--people who are not strictly eisha_ or dancing girls to amuse them

At all banquets--except those of teachers here--there are _geisha_ When you sit down (I irls come in to wait upon you, with exquisite voices, and beautiful dresses, etc

These are _geisha_ After a while they dance If you wish to fall in love with theeisha_ dance: they were at all banquets But at teachers' banquets in kumamoto they are not allowed We are strictly moral in Kyushu

Lo!--it's nearly tie, I reat haste

With best regards to Mrs Baker, best reratitude to you, excuse this scrawl, and believe me ever faithfully

Your friend, LAFCADIO HEARN

Really, it seems to me as if I hadn't thanked you at all You are sis My little wife sends you this greeting with her own hand,--

[Illustration]

It means: ”_May you live a thousand years!_”

TO SENTARO NIshi+DA

KAGAWA, SAKAI, August, 1892

DEAR NIshi+DA,--It made us both very happy to hear you had been persuaded to stop at our little house; for although it is hot and small, still you would feeldreary hotels of kumamoto I hope you will be able to stop a little while with us now at Mionoseki

I like Oki very, very much--much better than kumamoto I like country people, fisherht me, and they are in Oki To watch the life and customs of those people is very pleasant, and would be profitable to me in a literary way if I had time to spare Oki is worth six ain The only unpleasant thing is the awful smell of the cuttle-fish But I will tell you all ards fro to see you soon, as ever,

LAFCADIO HEARN

TO SENTARO NIshi+DA

MIONOSEKI, August, 1892

DEAR NIshi+DA,--We felt quite lonesome after you went away, and especially at supper-time,--when there were only two mats, instead of three, laid upon the _suzu of the Golden Dragon

Next reat noise; and I said, ”That is because Nishi+da San has sent us soain beca Masayoshi+ to lie on his back in the water Quite late in the afternoon the little Sakai Maru cas, and your letter, and a copy of the _Nippon_

You are too good; and I felt not less pleased to find myself so kindly remembered than sorry to think of the trouble you took for us But the eggs were more than welcoular pan; and each one looked like a japanese flag, with the Red Sun in the middle A thousand thanks to you, and to your kindest ards