Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-10
DAIBUTZ.

A visit 20 the Altar Of the Great
Buddha-The Biggest Idol and the
Biggest BIT OF Brass in the world.
Yokohama Correspondence Of the New York
Tribune.
We started from Yokohama at $50 in
the morning, a party Of six, in what is
called here travelling carriage hard
seated, Stif-sprinSed vehicle, but one strong
and well fitted for rough country roads.
Our course for over mile was along a
lovely sea beach-.he finest one I have
ever seen. Il had q stretch Of soft, shining
sand, two or three tins the width OF that
at Newport. The roll Of on jinrikshas
over this and the gentle mumur Of the
surf in our ears made 4 charming contrast
TO the thorough shaking up We Lad prsvi-
ously undergone. From this beach we
turned abruptly up narrow road leading
inland, and along this we were jOlted for
several miles. These coolies never abate
their speed for such trifes as mudhOles,
bitches, or other obstacles in the road.
They jump lightly over the holes or bitches,
carrying with them the jinrikshas, the Oc-
cupants Of which are supposed to look out
for themselves. This ride brought us
within a short distance Of the object Of our
trip, namely, a sight Of DaibUtz, the largest
and most famous Of the many gods OF
Japan.
This idol is in the midst Of a plain, once
the site of a large city. Now il is sur
rounded only By a thin grove Of trees,
which have OutlIved the more perishable
temples and shrines once included in these
3acred grounds, and Of the city, only the
small, stragg. ing village Of Kamakura re-
mains. The approach TO the statue is by
broad walk of fagstOnes, ard 1 almost
dreaded the moment when it would be in
fun view, for fear Of a disappointment
with regard to its wonders, Of which
l had heard so much. But a single
glance dispelled this idea, for its size
and grandeur were far beyond what
had pictured in nv mind. DaibutZ, mean
ing the s'GreaL Buddha,' is about 10 feet in
height, entirely Of bronze, and represents
the god in his usual state Of profound Ie-
pose, sitting crOss-legsed, the eyes closed
and hands clasped with thumb nails meet
ing. Il rests upon a stone foundation, and
in front Of it, upon a stone altar, are two
large bronze vases, each containing bios
SONS and leaves Of the l0tOs, a sacred
plant Of the Buddhists, perfectly carved in
bronze, and in front Of both is the ineYi-
table cash-box. Climbing up the folds
of the gods garment, which form
safe fOOthOlds for some distance,
we sat down on his immense thumbs, and
some idea may be formed Of the size Of this
statue by the fact that three grown persons
can sit comfortably OF one thumb between
its end and second joint. This majestic
idol, perfect in Its proportions and sublime
in its expression Of an eternity Of rGpOse,
was placed in its present position many CEN
turies agO-sO many that the exact date Of
its erection is unknown. Two wire
guarded windows are cut in the back near
the shoulders, and a door cut on one side
admits visitors. Here we found a
good sized room, with images Of va
riOus saints on two rough altars,
and incense burning before them. Cut in
the wood work Of the altars and written in
japanese ink anywhere and everywhere
about this interior Of the statue were in
Vulnerable names and addresses Of visitors,
Most Of them, regret 20 say, Of our Own
cOuntrymen. This name-Writing prOpenSi-
ty of Americans never appeared 10 me
more obnoxious than on this occasion,
when I saw an object that has been revered
BY generations Of people desecrated by the
puerile vanity Of travellers. We
took iinrikshas back 70 tea
house in Kamakura, where we
had a substantial lunch. Then retracing
the road we had previously travelled We had
another pleasant drive over the sea beach,
the waves nov dashing over the legs Of our
coolies, and sending refreshing showers Of
spray into our faces. Children entirely
naked ran after Us, begging for stempOs in
such a winning manner that we would have
found it hard 20 resist them, if we had
wished 20 do so, FOR their requests were
always prefaced by charming little cOurte-
sizes and the saiutalion "OhayO,' or "GOJd
morning"
Am INV the Snsniah anLhnriLics in