Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MARCH 3 IS GIRLS DAY (FREE TO BE APPROACHED).
MAY 5 IS BOYS DAY (FREE TO BE APPROACHED).
Submitter comment: SIMILAR TO OUR MOTHERS' DAY AND FATHERS' DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; JAPAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 3 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 5 |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
IN JAPAN BRIDES WEAR A WHITE SCARF OVER THEIR
ELABORATE HEADRESS TO COVER UP THEIR HORNS BECAUSE
(THEY) ARE SUPPOSEDLY PART DEVIL.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; JAPAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bride |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BABY BOYS ARE PREFERRED BECAUSE IT IS THE CUSTOM FOR
THE FAMILY NAME IN JAPAN TO BE PERPETUATED DOWN
THROUGHOUT THE AGES, AND WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE
CUSTOM OF ADOPTION. THAT IS, IF THERE ARE ONLY
GIRLS IN A FAMILY, AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE ELDEST
DAUGHTER, THE BRIDEGROOM ADOPTS THE FAMILY NAME
OF THE BRIDE AND THUS PERPETUATES THE FAMILY NAME
OF THE BRIDE. (GIRLS, OTHERWISE, ARE ALWAYS
WELCOME IN JAPANESE HOMES.)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE GROWING UP IN
JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; JAPAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
JANUARY 1ST IS THE JAPANESE NEW YEAR AND A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
ALL HOUSE FRONTS ARE LIGHTED AND DECORATED WITH PINE TREES
(KADOMATSU) AND BAMBOO STALKS. THE DECORATIONS ARE TAKEN
DOWN ON JAN. 7. IN JAPAN, BAMBOO IS A SYMBOL OF HAPPINESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JAPAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
WE HAVE NO RELIGION IN JAPAN. WE EXCHANGE GREETING CARDS
WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ON JANUARY FIRST, NEW YEAR'S
DAY. NOT TO DO SO IS IMPOLITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JAPAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): WHAT ABOUT SHINTO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SETSUBUR IS THE CEREMONY PERFORMED ON THE EVE OF THE
SPRINGTIDE.
SETSUBUR WAS BORN FROM THE OLD BELIEF THAT THE GODS VISIT
EVERY HOUSE AND BRING IT GOOD LUCK. ON THE NIGHT OF
SETSUBUR THE JAPANESE FAMILY THROWS PARCHED BEANS BOTH
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, CRYING "FUKU WA UCKI! ONI
WA SOK!" WHICH MEANS, "IN WITH LUCK, OUT WITH DEVILS."
IT IS SAID IN THIS WAY SICKNESS AND EVIL CAN BE DRIVEN
OUT AND HAPPINESS ENJOYED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; JAPAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.9 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT BREAD THAT IS BLACK AND HARD IS IT THAT YOU CAN T EAT?
A: FRYING PAN.
Submitter comment:
N.B. THE ABOVE IS A PLAY ON WORDS. THE JAPANESE HAVE TAKEN THE
ENGLISH, FRYING PAN, INTO THEIR LANGUAGE BUT PRONOUNCE
IT "FURAIPAN.".
PAN IS ALSO THE JAPANESE WORD FROM THE FRENCH FOR BREAD. IN THIS
RIDDLE THE FRYING PAN (FURAIPAN) IS USED AS BREAD PAN.
INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.
Keyword(s): EATABLES (Q) ; STATE OF BEING (Q) COLOR ; UTENSILS (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONLY THE FINGERS OF A BABY CAN TIE A UNITING KNOT THAT WILL PULL
TWO FAMILIES TOGETHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN ASHIYA, JAPAN
Data entry tech comment:
THE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THE INFORMATION WAS
RECEIVED IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
EVEN NUMBERS ARE UNLUCKY TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JAPAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific) BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT VEHICLE CARRIES PEOPLE BUT DOESN T HAVE ANY WHEELS?
A: A MAN'S SHOULDERS.
Submitter comment:
N.B. IN JAPAN FATHERS RIDE THEIR CHILDREN ON THEIR SHOULDERS SO
THAT THE TERM KATA GURUMA (SHOULDER CAR) WAS COINED.
INFORMANT LIVES IN ASHIYA, JAPAN, AND LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS
CHILDREN.
Keyword(s): PART OF THE BODY (A) ; PRIVATIONAL ; TRANSPORTATION (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS IT THAT ONE THROWS AWAY AFTER CAREFULLY HOARDING IT?
A: GARBAGE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS IT THAT GROWS BIG WHEN IT IS FED WOOD, GROWS SMALL WHEN
IT IS FED WATER?
A: FIRE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS IT THAT WHEN YOU REMOVE IT, YOU DO NOT USE IT,
AND WHEN YOU REPLACE IT, YOU USE IT?
A: THE LID OF A JAPANESE BATH TUB.
Submitter comment:
N.B. THE JAPANESE BATH TUB IS A WOODEN, DEEP TUB COVERED WITH A LID.
WHEN NOT IN USE, THE BATH IS COVERED WITH THE LID.
INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND LEARNED THE ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; FURNITURE (A) ; PUZZLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
FESTIVAL: THE JAPANESE STAR FESTIVAL
ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT SAD IN THEM, THE STAR FESTIVAL IS OBSERVED IN A
SPIRIT OF JOY. (CHECK THE LEGEND FOR THE STAR FESTIVAL, UNDER
LEGENDS.) ON JULY 7, OR AUGUST 7, SUPPLICATIONS ARE MADE TO THE
WEAVER PRINCESS BY THOSE WHO WISH TO IMPROVE THEIR WEAVING AND
SEWING, AS WELL AS THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE GENTLE ARTS: MUSIC,
POETRY, CALLIGRAPHY, ETC. OF WHICH THE PRINCESS LATER BECAME THE
PATRON. AT THE SAME TIME, FARMERS PETITION THE HERDBOY STAR FOR
A BUMPER HARVEST.
CHARACTERISTIC OF THE STAR FESTIVAL, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A
CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL, ARE BAMBOO TREES SET UP IN FRONT OF THE
HOUSES OR BEFORE GARDEN SHRINES, ON WHOSE BRANCHES ARE HUNG LOVE
POEMS WRITTEN ON CARDS, ALSO PAPERS CUT IN THE SHAPE OF KIMINO,
5 COLOR THREADS, PAPER BALLOONS, ETC. ALSO OFFERED TO THE SPIRITS
OF THE TWO ROMANTIC STARS ARE ASSORTED FRUITS, VEGETABLES, CAKES,
AND CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS WRITTEN IN A LETTER FROM THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS
TELLING ME ABOUT ONE OF THE JAPANESE FESTIVALS. FOR THE
LEGEND, SEE B455.
Data entry tech comment:
TANABATA-MATSURI, FEAST OF TANABATA, JULY 7. SPICER, DOROTHY,
BOOK OF FESTIVALS, P. 199.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.322 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 7 BELIEF -- Comet BELIEF -- Prayer |
Riddle
One day a farmer named Jack and his dog Skip were going out to
the barn to feed the horses. As they were leaving the house, Jack
picked up his pail of cornfeed and Skip and he moseyed on out to the
barn. Once inside, Jack approached his horse named John and
whistled for him to come and be fed. Jack whistled and said,
"Come here John." John (the horse) looked over his shoulder and
said, "Everytime I look around it's come here John." Jack looked
mortified. He dropped his pail and ran back to his house (Skip is
running right behind him). Once Jack regained his composure he
spoke out loud. "What am I running for? Horses don't talk. I'm
a man and I am going back out to that barn and feed my horse. Come
on Skip." So on that note, Jack and Skip went back out to the
barn. Jack picked up his pail and whistles for John. This time he
says, "John, Skip and me just came out here to feed you, now come
on over here John, come on." John looked over his shoulder and
said, "Everytime I look around it's come here John." John threw
his pail this time and flew out the barn (with Skip running right
behind him, of course). When they finished running they were half
a mile from the house up under a tree. Both Jack and Skip were out
of breathe when Jack said, "I ain't never seen a horse talk." And
Skip said, "Me either!"
Submitter comment: I wonder where John is now?
Where learned: JAPAN ; Okinawa
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
WE PUT WATER ON THE TOMB OF OUR ANCESTOR WHEN WE WORSHIP
IT SO THAT THE DEAD PEOPLE DON'T SUFFER FROM THIRST.
Where learned: JAPAN ; HIROSHIMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-02-1977
LEGEND OF THE JAPANESE KAPPA
THE KAPPA IS A GREEN, TWO-FOOTED CREATURE WITH A TURTLE SHELL
ON ITS BACK AND A LARGE THATCH OF HAIR AND A BEAK. THEY
DWELL IN THE RIVERS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER IN JAPAN
AND ARE NOTED FOR THEIR IMPISH TRICKS WHICH THEY PLAY
ON FISHERMEN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM HER FATHER WHO RESIDES IN JAPAN.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; JAPAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONLY THE FINGERS OF A BABY CAN TIE A UNITING KNOT THAT WILL PULL
TWO FAMILIES TOGETHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN ASHIYA JAPAN
Data entry tech comment:
THE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THE INFORMATION WAS
RECEIVED IN A LETTER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
LEGEND OF THE JAPANESE KAPPA
THE KAPPA IS A GREEN, TWO-FOOTED CREATURE WITH A TURTLE SHELL
ON ITS BACK AND A LARGE THATCH OF HAIR AND A BEAK. THEY
DWELL IN THE RIVERS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER IN JAPAN
AND ARE NOTED FOR THEIR IMPISH TRICKS WHICH THEY PLAY
ON FISHERMEN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM HER FATHER WHO RESIDES IN JAPAN.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; JAPAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
EARTHQUAKE, THUNDER, FIRE AND FATHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN.
Data entry tech comment: OR, PERHAPS, FATHER IS LIKE THESE THREE CHARACTERISTICS.
James Callow comment:
I THINK THE MEANING IS THAT THESE THREE CATASTROPHIES
SEND YOU TO YOUR "MAKER."--F. M. PAULSEN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CATASTROPHE ; TRANSLATION?
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-28-1964