Show STREET ACROBATS IN JAPAN clever tittle people who do almost impossible for small pay during a jinrikisha ride along the streets or any japanese city the traveler is almost sure to see a group of young street acrobats quaint little people grotesquely dressed their ages will range generally between three and twelve years and all have been regularly trained their dress consists mainly of loose trousers a bright colored jacket and a peculiar headdress the trousers are baggy made of a strong material resembling blue and white bed ticking and tied at the ankle the jacket and shirt are bright and conspicuous the front of the headdress represents the half opened mouth of a dragon while the back is ornamented with many cocks plumes from under the headdress falls a curtain of thin red material thrown carelessly back over the shoulders the whole being securely held on the head by a piece of red cloth which ties underneath the chin these little imps are always laughing full of fun ever ready to play harmless jokes on one another some of their most skillful antics says youths companion will be followed by simply throwing themselves into ridiculous positions mt ended solely to keep spectators in a good humor you are startled to see them suddenly stand upon their heads heels in air or bend backward until their saucy little faces will be seen inverted between their knees again they will walk on their hands and quite unexpectedly change from their position rolling and tumbling over each other jumping kicking or prancing and trying in every way to attract the attention of the passerby passer by one of them continually beats a small drum and sings at the top of bis voice doing his best to add to the din their entire performance is given in the hope of earning a few rin a small copper coin worth less than the tenth of an american cent when a foreigner passes the little acrobats redouble their efforts for they know that they stand a chance of getting a silver coin these little people have often followed distance continuing their gymnastics and sometimes their persistence becomes troublesome always limping for an additional coin and being ever ready to work for it they carry out the deep rooted principles of the japanese character industry patience and perseverance |