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214 CURIOSITIES OF MUSIC.
wife and children thither, for a pleasure jaunt. "When we consider that the Japanese are the most careful people in the wcrld regarding the education and behavior of their wives and children, we cannot attribute this seeming incongruity to negligence.
In tea houses of an inferior rank, when female dancers and musicians are not among the assistants, they may be sent for, and engaged by the hour. These women never enter the lower class of teahouses, unless thus sent for. In this respect, as well as by the correctness of their behavior, they are to be distinguished from the lower order of Btreet musicians and dancers at fairs. These are not allowed to perform in private houses; the law compells them to confine their music to such places as are subject to police regulations. Theatres being included in this category, they often appear there, at the request of performers in the plays, in order to figure in the ballet.*
In Yeddo, many of the tea houses are built along the banks of the river; and in this case, they have large family boats or gondolas attached, which they let out by the hour, to such parties (and there are many) as desire to take their recreation upon the water. Guitar players and refreshments are furnished with these boats.
The lower classes are passionately fond of listening to story tellers and singers, and these, as 'n other Eastern countries, give open air perfor- |
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* Humbert, J ip»n, p. 296 |
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