Sign of the Horse

Foretold by legend and announced by mystics, there comes periodically upon Japan the dread Hinuma or "year of the Sign of the Horse."

Some centuries ago a legendary Japanese mare of superb perfection committed the unnatural act of kicking to death all of the many stallions brought to her in an effort to obtain an especially fine breed of horses. Appalled by the mare's actions, pious Nipponese noted the position of the constellations and rashly predicted that all female children born under this "Sign of the Horse" would cause the death of their husbands.

Wary, Japanese men have for centuries not infrequently refused to marry "Hinuma girls." Despondent, such maidens often commit suicide if they remain unmarried until 20 years of age-- the traditional limit after which irredeemable spinsterhood sets in.

Since 1905 was a "Hinuma year," the passing of 1925 brought thoughts of suicide to many a maiden. Tokyo correspondents last week reported that at least 300 "1905 Hinuma girls" have committed suicide* in Japan since Jan. 1, 1926.

Assiduous campaigning against this superstition by the Japanese Women's League is reported to have been almost without avail among the more ignorant classes. Among even the socially elect, engagements are frequently broken if the youth discovers his fiancee to have a Hinuma taint.

*The predilection of the Japanese for this vigorous act was well shown last week, when a new Japanese cinema drama was released in which 47 of the characters commit hara-kiri to the delight of movie fans.