Children of the Sun. William H. Clark
Children of the Sun
Representatives
For Continental Europe:
BOXERBOOKS, INC., Zurich
For the British Isles:
PRENTICE-HALL INTERNATIONAL, INC., London
For Australasia:
PAUL FLESCH & CO., PTY. LTD., Melbourne
Published by the Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
of Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan
with editorial offices at
Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032
Copyright in Japan, 1965
by Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc.
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 65-15291
ISBN 978-1-4629-1798-3 (ebook)
First printing, 1965
PRINTED IN JAPAN
Children of the Sun
is dedicated to our son, Billy
who saw his first dawn in Japan
played in the sunshine there
and who will be able to rejoice someday
in life’s final sunset
as he finds his friends and classmates
safe in the arms of Jesus
Ta-chan, No-chan, and Billy-chan going to kindergarten together
Photography by Commander Douglas W. Finrow USNR
and other anonymous photographers
Courtesy of Fuji Film Company, Tokyo
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE DAWN
A Little One Is Born
Special Occasions for a Japanese Baby
More Special Days for Baby
Poor Little Sparkle
Little Heathen Child
Seven-Five-Three Festival
Shy Tomi
Little Pumpkin Head
Kindergarten
IN THE SUNSHINE
Girls’ Day
Hands that Talk
Boys’ Day
Sumo Wrestling
A Grandmother’s Plea
Little Eighth One
Autumn Flower
Little River
Naughty Kazuko
School Is Fun
Because of an Egg
My Name Is My Problem
AT DUSK
To Please a Thousand Gods
My Mother Saw Heaven
Yuken, the Miner’s Son
Christmas in Japan
New Year’s Traditions
Silvery’s Secret
The Sunset
THE DAWN
For the beautiful morning
After a restful night,
For food and clothing warm
We thank Thee, Heavenly Father.
(Courtesy of Nihon Kirisutokyodan Sambika Iinkai. Children's hymn in Japanese, copyright release no. 88)
Our baby
A Little One Is Born
A little one is born.
What dreams are born with him.
What longings, hopes, and wishes
Fill his parents’ hearts this day.
A little heathen child is born,
Born to worship idols deaf,
Born to honor ancestors dead,
Born to live with superstitions,
Born to die?
Oh, why should it be?
This little babe should hear of Jesus,
This little soul would trust I’m sure.
Baby dear, I’ll come to your land.
Just wait, I’ll soon be there ...
A walk with Grandpa
Special Occasions for a Japanese Baby
In Japan babies are usually born at their grandmother’s house. Right away they are given a bath in a big wooden tub.
7th Day: On this day the tiny baby has his first haircut. With a straight razor his head and neck are shaven, leaving just a black fringe on the top of his head. Then all of the relatives come to a dinner of red rice (rice and red beans cooked together). The rice is very pretty and tasty, with sesame seed and salt sprinkled on top. At this time, too, the new baby is given his name.
Baby doesn’t like the good-luck dragon!
More Special Days for Baby
32nd Day: Today Baby is dedicated to the neighborhood gods. The baby is dressed in a beautiful, embroidered silk kimono and taken on his grandmother’s back. Before they enter the Shinto shrine’s courtyard, the grandmother dips water from a stone trough and washes her mouth and hands.
Above the shrine door is a metal gong which Grandmother rings and then claps her hands twice and bows low. Soon the priest, wearing a bright silk brocade robe, waves