black and glossy plaits down his back.

On the day that he was thirteen his father called him to his room and
told the lad that the time had come for him to assume the dignities of a
man. In accordance with that statement, he had decided that on the next
day his son should be formally "invested" with the top-knot. In other
words, the crown of his head was to be shaven, and his long hair tightly
coiled upon the bare place thus made. This is called the "Investiture
of the Top-knot," and is always attended by solemn ceremonies.

In preparation for this event Ki Pak had made careful and elaborate
arrangements. He had provided for his son new clothes and a hat after
the style of his own. He had also consulted an eminent astrologer, who
had chosen the propitious day and hour for the ceremony after due
consultation of the calendar and the stars and planets in their courses.

Generally, if the father is blessed with good fortune and a number of
sons, he acts as his own master of ceremonies on such an occasion, but
as Ki Pak had only this one son he decided to ask his brother, Wu-pom
Nai, who had several sons and was a prosperous merchant of Seoul, to
fill this important position.

Yung Pak could hardly wait for the morrow to come. So excited was he at
the thought of the great honour that was to be his that he spent almost
a sleepless night. However, like all nights, long or short, this one
passed, and the wished-for hour at last arrived.

All the male members of the family were present. Korean women are
reckoned of little importance and take no part in social and family
affairs. On this occasion no men except relatives were asked to attend.