game, or to open any door or window, or to indulge in needless
conversation. Finally I may observe that, while judging the
incense, a player is expected to take not less than three
inhalations, or more than five.


In this economical era, the Ko-kwai takes of necessity a much
humbler form than it assumed in the time of the great daimyo, of
the princely abbots, and of the military aristocracy. A full set
of the utensils required for the game can now be had for about
$50.00; but the materials are of the poorest kind. The old-
fashioned sets were fantastically expensive. Some were worth
thousands of dollars. The incense-burner's desk,--the writing-
box, paper-box, tablet-box, etc.,--the various stands or dai,--
were of the costliest gold-lacquer;--the pincers and other
instruments were of gold, curiously worked;--and the censer--
whether of precious metal, bronze, or porcelain,--was always a
chef-d'oeuvre, designed by some artist of renown.

1 Girls are still trained in the art of arranging flowers, and in
the etiquette of the dainty, though somewhat tedious, cha-no-yu.
Buddhist priests have long enjoyed a reputation as teachers of
the latter. When the pupil has reached a certain degree of
proficiency, she is given a diploma or certificate. The tea used
in these ceremonies is a powdered tea of remarkable fragrance,--
the best qualities of which fetch very high prices.

2 The places occupied by guests in a Japanese zashiki, or
reception room are numbered from the alcove of the apartment. The
place of the most honored is immediately before the alcove: this