Their name for a motorcycle truck it beta-beta—because that is the noise it makes. And do you know a word in any other language that sighs good-bye as wistfully as sayonara? Even official honors reveal a touch of the poet. A Japanese genius and his work can be declared a mukeibunkazai — an intangible cultural treasure. At the last count, Japan had half-a- million practising poets, all striving m become suitably intangible. Then there are the gentle rhythms of Japanese life. Serving tea is a formal art. So is arranging flowers. So are good manners. You will find a hostess on every bus who calls out the stops, helps old people alight, and tells the driver how he is doing on difficult tuns. And there's a charming festival called Seven-Five-Three Day — when parents visit their shrines to seek blessings for children who are seven, five and three years old. Our photograph shows the ancient Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Yet, despite here engaging sensibiltiy, Japan is no nation of lotus-eaters. She builds more ships than any other country on earth. She has a higher percentage of electrified homes than we do. And Tokyo has recently passed London and New York to become the world's largest city. The Jersey Standard affiliate that operates in Japan is understandably eager that anybody we send over should see the country at cherry blossom time. We do our best to oblige. We might lose a businessman, but we could gain a poet. Published in the interests of International friendship by Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) Click here to return to the text.