National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-08

style OF Japanese ~. Unuer -ae caves Of the
them on each successive ,torv gyouns az msn'
birds, beasts and feve-s even miniature treas
ana houses , al u. ~ cunningly carved. The
which tie IDA Is painted. and By the quanti-
ties % hne lacquer adorning II. Near the pagoda,
r ,w under . graceful roof supported y granite
in the centre and filled to the brfm with cool
spring water, which trickles noiselessly over the
sDesd is the st. Both The pssods and he
lavatory were erected over two hundred years
ago. There are several. other buildings In this
them are ornsmented with CARVINGS and lacquer
to an extent and In style that denes description.
Among the carvings those Of the .calptcr 1ingoso
handed, and, while his work Is most skilifully
done, It curiously betrays his popularity.
Passing up another broad flight Of steps We AZ
rive at
TIE GATEWAY OF THE INNER COURT.
The wood carving upon the gateway is probably
the hnest In Japan. The studies and occupations
Of scholars, wise men and philosophers seem to
have been the favorite theme Of the artists Who
wrought this marvellous piece Of workmanship.
Long. bearded gentlemen OF Q studious turn are
Which bssesn the dignity Of students and ssass.
Perhaps the finest group is one immediately over
the entrance. venerable man is seated Of
table; before him lies an open book, from which
heis reading TO . knot Of plump, brighteyed
children who cluster about Els knees and at his
about these figures which generally marks such
productions. Everything is natural and life-like.
The expressions Of the children are sngularly
ure up each word that fails from the old mans
llpti others are evidently somewhat bored with
rescued tSs turning point Of f patience and Is silly
lining his hand to his nsighbOrs ear as If to give
Passing the gateway We came
ToTHE SHRINE ITsELr.
This court contains several curious relics, among
the rest three immense bronze candelebras, one
from the Lipchin Islands and the others said to
also stands rEs sSs Hery
10 said, which lyeyas was wont, when It was
mere shrub, to carry about with him in his nori-
tngs, is plentifuly decorated with and costly
specimens Of Eastern art. Taking OF our shoes,
~, We are allowed TO pass within the Holy Of Ho,ss
worehiped when visiting the tomb OF their great
ancestor. The proportions Of this magnificent
decorations. On every hand It bears witness to
the lavish outlay which was considered betting
ss; b The he,
metals have not been spared in its decorations.
Carvings Of costly wood adorn its walls, while
squares, separated from each other BY bars and
panels OF costly gold lacquer. Each square
GO ,ams TSs JSpans.s S.s
is Q strict eopyist Of nature; but he has the art
rs few copJists have Of portraying life as we'll as
an Illustration Of this fact. Even the dragons
and hydrs-beaded lions and fabulous tigers
have about them the semolance Of grotesquo
reality.
LEAVING THE RINEsH
and descending to the second court, turn TO the
right and ascend to the tomb Of lyeyss. Il rests
upon high hill, overlooking the temples and
clothed to the very summit In dense mass OF TO-
liage, surmounted by q group Of large cryptic
stone railing, Is an Immense bronze urn, wherein
rePose the ashes OF the hero. The place and the
surroundings are in harmony with such sepulchre.
the sound Of our footfafs on the steep, winding
pisntifuliy rom The crsSfss. between The pavins
stones; the trees bear upon their branches long
pendants Of gray moss; the mold and decay Of
stones Of the walls. But the tomb itself Is bright
and clean; the brass characters upon its portal
Of that day, long ago, when the solemn funeral
procession bore up the hill all that remained OF
the man who bound japan with chains that held
nrm until the dust OF centuries gathered about
his tomb.
y AMONG THE BUILDINGS
in the second court is one which suggests the
thought that perhaps after all Mr.. Darwin Is not
iespSnnnie tor D,rWinism. Thi: statement may
leaving others to decide whether the glory Of the
discovery Of the possibilities Of Similar nature
japanese artist who decorated the building Of
which have spoken. 1t Is not Pretenttous In
appearance; on the contrary, 4 has decidedly
rounding 4. II is merely stable, the stable Of
the sacred white pony, which in ancient times
was kept here for the use Of the spirit OF Iyeyas
to lead the procession on fete days, covered from
neck to crupper with most gorgeous trappings.
But the pony is not the illustration Of Darwnism
to which allude. 1t is to be found under the
caves Of his stable, where are carvings OF mon
keys, quaint life-like figures which have grinned
and mouthed In grotesqe limitations OF humanity
under the drippings Of his humble roof for more
than two centuries. Some Of these simians have
evidently progressed In the Darwinian journey |
manifestly the .grave and reverend seigneurs"
Of the community, are engaged in teaching O
great moral lesson, Oonfuoan In origin it Is satd
III. sas ans ths .Sl upon v n upon
cept Is plain, "don't see too much" NOR hear
too much, !" nor stalk too much" Confuclus, IL
would seem, considered monkeys peculiarly we'll
None Of these moneys, By the way, have tails,
which may be taken as another Indication Of the |
advanced stage Of their progress. |
THERE ARE BIG MONKEYS AND LITTLE MONKEYS,
monkeys in trade, hurrylng along with preoccu- |
pied business air; monkeys Of theological turn,
laying down the law from big books; monkeys |
corner" and one old monkey, beyond all doubt .
politician ingrstiating himself In the good graces
Of Q monkey from the rural districts. The CON-
their grotssque stimulation OF human motive and |
action, are ludierous beyond description. Mr. |
Darwin has need to look 70 his laurels, or the |
defendants Of the artist who carved these figures
viii set up for their ancestor counter claim to
the credit Of having first pointed out the fes-
,ioility OF the later steps OF the Development
But ind that have gone far beyond the linn.
its which proposed to myself when / commenced |
this letter. shall reserve for my next the de- |
seriptiOn Of other objects Of interest at Nisko;
ID. WIS.