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 the second day of the first moon, one dreams of the takara-bune (treasure-ship), he shall become a rich man." The first "dog day" and the third "dog day" in July are days for eating special cakes. "The third dog day is considered by the peasantry a turning-point in the life of the crops. Eels are eaten on any day of the bull [ox] that may occur during this period of greatest heat." The author was once warned by a Japanese woman that he must not take medicine or consult a doctor on New Year's Day, because such acts would portend a year of illness.

There are many good books which portray the manners and customs of the Japanese people; and as for magazine and newspaper articles on the subject their name is legion. The works of Griffis, Chamberlain, Rein, Hearn, Lowell, Miss Bacon, Miss Scidmore, Miss Hartshorne, Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop, and Mitford's "Tales of Old Japan" may be recommended. Good novels, like "Mito Yashiki" (Maclay), "Honda the Samurai" (Griffis), "In the Mikado's Service" (Griffis), etc., give an insight into Japanese life. This may suffice, as more particular references have been given in connection with many of the topics of the chapter. "A Japanese Boy" (Shigemi), "When I was a Boy in Japan" (Shioya), "Japanese Girls and Women" (Miss Bacon), and "The Wee Ones of Japan" (Mrs. Bramhall) give good pictures of child-life; and Dr. Griffis has edited an edition of Mrs. Chaplin-Ayrton's valuable "Child-Life in Japan." "Japanese Life in Town and Country" (Knox), and "Every Day Japan" (Lloyd) also contain good material in this connection.