Japan and the Japanese

438 JAPAN. A. P. 17791791.
ous articles of the Japanese toilet, including a greater or less quan
tity, according to their rank, of wearing apparel, hung on movable
rucks or clothes-horses.
In families of the rank of the governors of Nagasaki the bride
is portioned with twelve robes, each upon a distinct horse; namely,
a blue robe, for the first month, embroidered with fir-trees or bam-
boos ; a sea-green robe, for the second month, with cherry flowers
and buttercups ; a robe of light red, for the third month, with
willows and cherry-trees; a robe of pearl color, for the fourth
month, embroidered with the cuckoo, and small spots representing
islands ; a robe of faint yellow, for the fifth month, embroidered
with waves and sword-grass ;
a robe of bright orange, for the sixth
month, embroidered with melons and with an impetuous torrent
the rainy season falling in this and the previous month ; a white
robe, for the seventh month, with kiki flowers, white and purple ;
red robe, for the eighth month, sprinkled with sloe-leaves ; a
violet robe, for the ninth month, embroidered with flowers of the
Chrysanthemum indicujn, a very splendid flower ; an olive-colored
robe, for the tenth month, with representations of a road and ears
of rice cut oft'; a black robe, for the eleventh month, embroidered
with emblems of ice and icicles; a purple robe, for the twelfth
month, embroidered with emblems of snow. Beyond some per-
sonal outfit of this sort, it is said not to be the custom to portion
daughters.
Next morning the young couple take a warm bath, and then
breakfast together. Soon after numerous presents come in, of which
a careful account is kept; the bride also receives visits of con-
gratulation. The day after, all the bridegroom's people are treated
with cakes in the apartment of the bride ; and rice-cake, put up
in boxes, is sent to all the near relations who did not attend the
wedding.
After the expiration of three days the bride pays a visit to her
parents, preceded by a present from her husband, one corresponding
to which is sent back when the bride returns. All the preceding
ceremonies over, the bride, accompanied by her mother-in-law, or
some aged female relative, pays
a visit to all who have sent her
presents, thanks them, and offers a suitable return. a supply of
suitable presents for this purpose having been provided for her
a