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Show SWORD WEARING IN JAPAN. In Japan, the sword, until a recent date has been considered a badge of the aristocracy. The etiquette which regulated the wearing of the long and short sword was experienced in a number of minute rules. Since the contact of the Japanese with Europeans and Americans, these weapons are not so generally worn and the rules have fallen into disuse. But the following narrative shows what was their character. The most trivial breach of these minute observances was often the cause of murderous brawls and dreadful reprisals. To touch another's weapon, or to come into collision with the sheath, was a dire offense, and to enter a friend's house without leaving the sword outside, was a breach of friendship. Those who position justified the accompaniment of an attendant invariable left the sword in his charge at the entrance, or, if alone, it was usually laid down at the entrance. If removed inside it was invariably done by the host's servants, and then not touched by the bare hand, but with a silk napkin kept for the purpose. The sword was placed upon a sword-rack in the place of honor near the guest, and treated with all the politeness due to an honored visitor who would resent a discourtesy. To exhibit a naked weapon was a gross insult, unless when a gentleman wished to show his friends his collection. To express a wish to see a sword was not usual, unless when a blade of great value was in question, when a request to be shown it would be a compliment the happy possessor appreciated. The sword would then be handed with the back toward the guest, the edge turned towards the owner and the hilt to the left, the guest wrapping the hilt either in the little silk napkin always carried by gentlemen in their pocketbooks, or in a sheet of clean paper. The weapon was drawn from the scabbard and admired inch by inch, but not to the full length unless the owner pressed his guest to do so, when, with much apology, the sword was entirely drawn and held away from the other persons present. After being admired, it would, if apparently necessary, be carefully wiped with a special cloth, sheathed and returned to the owner as before. The short sword was retained in the girdle, but at a long visit both host and guest laid it aside. |