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256 and a kind of tasty root called Konuyaku; but at the Setsubun the very demons are scared out of the house by the scattering of beans (full of virtue!) about. Each member of the household, from the master down to the scullery-maid, and not omitting the baby, must get rid of the foul fiends that possess them, by eating beans to a number at least greater than the years of their age.

On the third of March is one of the prettiest festivals of the year—that of the Dolls, the Little Girls, and the Peach Blossoms. It is called the Jomi no Sekku (‘Little Girls’ Fête’), or Hina Matsuri (‘Dolls’ Festival’). The Peach blossoms are not mentioned in the title, but the festival would lose half its charm if they were not to be had for its celebration, and due provision is made by the gardeners—if the season is stingy or backward—to ensure blooms at that time. On every takenomo, Momo branches are put in the ceremonial vase, and the great family of dolls, which makes its collected appearance on that day alone of the year, are set out in the special alcove on five shelves covered with strips of rich scarlet brocade. Such joy of colour there is—the flaming blossoms of the Peach, the gorgeous Venetian-rivalling brocade, the indescribable beauty and richness of the costumes of the dolls! They are not the everyday kind, with broken noses and entrails of hair, or streaming gore of sawdust protruding from a torn