Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 2.djvu/292

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

JAPAN

ning of the second month the process is extended, and at the end of the third month the sprays about the outer waiting-place are entirely removed. The dust-bin is always kept covered with green leaves. In the outer waiting-place is set a ewer of white pine with a lid of red pine and a ladle of white pine, the latter being laid across the lid, mouth uppermost; if the ewer be of metal, the mouth of the ladle is turned downward. In the inner waiting-place is set a stone ewer with red pine ladle. In the outer waiting-place are two pendent lamps, one of metal, the other of wood, the latter being suspended beside the ewer. The oil vessel for these lamps is of unglazed Fukakusa pottery. The inner passage should have a stone lantern, with an oil-holder of the same wood as that of the wooden lamp in the waiting-place. The inner waiting-place is lit by a standing lantern (andon), of which the upper lid should be removed and placed against the wall, except in windy weather. Beside it are placed a wick tongs and oil ladle. At morning réunions the decoration of the alcove consists of pictures during the first part of the entertainment, and flowers during the second. However cold the weather and however numerous the guests, only one brazier is allowed to be placed in the outer waiting-place. Even the lining of tobacco-boxes is regulated according to their shape. Equally strict rules apply to the length of the pipe, the manner of placing it on the tobacco-

262