New-York tribune., 1875-03-06
a MAMMOTH JAPANESE IDOL.

VISIT TO THE ALTAR OF DAIBUTZ.
| AN EXCURSION FROM YoBOHAMA--A BRONZE IDOL
| SEVENTY FEET HIGH-THE NAME-wRrTING PRO-
PENsTrY-A GUIDE WHO SMILED.
[FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THHTRBUNEl
YOKOHAMA, Dec 2G.-We started from YokO-
hama at $50 the morning, party OF six 10 what 10
called here a travelling c1rrlage-a hardseatod, sth-
sprnged vehicle but strong and well lifted for rough
country roads. We olted along fo- nine miles before
stopping breakfast the road for that distance running
through small villages that were 50 close together that
they really formed long stra ggnS town, having DIS
tricts bearing different names. Tue houses arc mostly
and dirty, and state OF almost complete nudity IS
the prevailing habit both At Totska one OF these
many villages. halted a teahoase 10 refresh our
selves for tho long journey still before In making
these country trips IL is necessary TO we'll provided
with eatables the tea houses only supply japanese
"show" such tea rice, and fish. the last being
served in such state OF decomposition IA to disgust
even tho huugriest traveller so only accepted tao
plates and bowls offered US by the young girls OF the
and settled ourselves IN comfort on tho hoor
mats while servant prepared and we ate civilZ'd
meal Then into carriage again and on 10 hitase
beyond which the roads too narrow and rough for
carriages to pass. The dive far was Little diver "a
in scenery rather uninerestng; though must en
cept the amusement derived from the bcg8lr NY the
roadside, for whom we had provided nunbar OF
tempos "-copper coins OF somewhat less vauo than
our pennies These beggars OF them real oJects
of pity owing to their deformtios, kne in the most
suppcatng attitudes, and the scramble among them
for the "tempos" threw in passing was larGhahs
to witness Katase jiurikshas were necessary Tor
the completion Of journey and here ats real interest
began
After leaving the vf GO course for over mile
was along lovely beach-:he finest one nave eyei
1t had stretch OF soft shining sand two OF
three times the width of that at Newport The roll OF
our nrkshas over this and the gentle muImur OF tho
surf In our ears made charming contrast the thor
ough shaking up We had previously UNDERGONE From
this beach turned abruptly narrow road leading
inland and along this were joed for several niles
These coolies abate their speed for such irs az
mudholes, bitches, other obstacles IN the r0ld tcy
lump lightly the holes or bitches, carving WIFI
them the Jnrkshas, the occupants OF which are snp
posed look for them elves. This ride brought d
within distance of tine object OF our trip namely
sight of DIbutz the largest and most famous o. the
many goods OF Japan.
This idol s In the midst OF plain once tho site of
large city. Now it is surrounded only ~ thin grove
Of trees which have Outvet the more periShable
temples and shrlnes included In these sacred
grounds and of the city only small straggl.ag WI
lage OF Kamakura remains The approach to the STATUE
is by broad walk of 1lgstOnes, and almost dreaded
the moment wien would be In full Wow. for fear OF
disappointment with regard TO its wonders, of which
had heard much. But single glance disp llcd TINS
idea for its and grandeur were far beyond what
had pictured in my mind. DaiDuz. meaning tns
Great Buddha" Is about 20 feet in hght, entirely oi
bronze, and represents the god IN his usu state o. pro
found repose sitting crossegged ho eyes clos d. and
hands clasped with thumb nails meeting IL rcSH Upon
stone foundation, and IN front 0fl; M or ''oHe al!r
are two large bronze vases, each containing blossoms
and leaves OF tho lotOs sacred plant vi the BIGhss
perfectly carved in bronze and IN front OF 1olh ne
inevitable cashbox. Climbing up the folds OF tAe sous
garment. which form sale foOthOl5 for some ilce
we sat down his immense thumbs, and some li'a
may formed OF the size o. THIS statue ~ IN ac' hl
three grown persons can sit comfortably on one thuD
between its end and second JOINT TAls majestic ii',
perfect IN It's proportions ana suon5 ~ rs A
eternity Of rep0se. was placed IN rs present posi-
on msny centuries ago-so many mat INC exact 10 oi
Its erection Is unknown; Two Wrt-eu'IIei WI wIGo o
in the back near the shoulders ahd door Cuton
side admits visitors. Here We lounh g0cG,Z'd
room with images OF various saints on two rough altar,
aud incense burning before tem Cdt IN the WOODWORK
OF the atars and written IN japanese uA dy"Atrc ana
eyerywhere about interior OF tae stAuo were m3u-
merabe and addresses OF VISITORS most Of III,
l regret to say, Of our own coun'rymen. ThS IA ne-
writing propensity of Americans never appeared 20 Inc
more obnoxious tnan on this OCCASION Wnen saw an
d.secrated by the puerIio vanity ot travel, r W iOok
jiniIkshas back teahousc Ia Kan Ir' whore we
ousy travelled we mad another pct''n uilt over llo
beach, the waves now dashna p'.t O.. ''' oi our
coolies, aud sending refreshing snnHcrS u pay lnto
Stng Tor I" tempos' m sus. 4 winning ngrJc. ta,t
would have iOund It had To resist tncih II we had
wished do So for tAer requests were al"Als prdC'd
By charming 1tte toufte.tes ana the sa'1t-ton
"Ohayo," Or Good mornlnG"
Another place interest remained to oe visited TaIs
We reached this without getting out OF our nrkshas,
for though called an island, mario" streeh oi s4.d
connects 1t with the maIa Land wdeu the iie Is low Ho
walked up its ST. Se strect INT hcllehtS s,"P1d 70
loox at the display of curious soa-~esd and shells Ia
shops sides OF tho way. About every OiAoI
these trophies from tic nOOr O tHe sea,
many beautiful ana nge"ioY' atte.cs DeiaE made oi
them, but tue rivalry Dotceea tAe nuActous ssOp
owners. all standin, our way ana uEIng us 10 Olyt
prevented examining thon al leisure. iOqhLciOns
native offered load over the Tiny lsIanu 40 tue
cave, and with confidence that we a!ter"ari lOuud
soreiy misplaced wo accepted guidance. We hrst
followed hun fl sbt after hght O steep stone sci~,
built upon tue side Uf long hll eIch one OF Us LHlag
vague idea that the cave must 10 az the tnp bat
when there he cOnduc.od Us W tAWdiy iOOhHk tob-
ple, such a all familiar Win. OAc VI our
party who spoke japanese explained 10 him that the
seacave tho OF jct ol our Sl> and that We Mah0i
10 Oe taken there Dy az short ROAD as pOSsiOo WIN
many smiles ana bows he expressed AIS inteu-
fulfill wish, We followed MN down
the other side OF his steep h. aud then we certainly
expected the cave 10 be visible Bat no; hnaoDy tIs
shrine "a OF trees was shown US WltL "A gfeat
display Zci. We turned from Shrine disap pDoHlod
dlsgused but, with the idea tnat The cave mus, no
very near. We toled up another gh1 OF sps ana thsn
u hill, where s smiling guIue stopped 10 pOid1 out
a nne view. But lust here %: the gentlemen gave
hun 10 understand by vigorous pantomNe that n9
would be pitched tne precipce II nc uld ho' eAd
at cave so, though ufed ana hod1ed, We
allowed ourselves be led down the Otbcr 'de Oi cuts
last h and over rough, winding patn. Here, ruDDing
ahead of guide aulO1ucou VIA u e'cas
snow OF surprise That the tdo was IL ana tuc cave n
accessible fact OF which he was uOuDtosS a""te
We started upon roundabout walA. w"leh ~ hai
made twice AS long ~ necessary words U! anger
would been wasted upon hiu. 80 aier .aleAihk
faint tantazing glimpse oi Tue cave WIN tno 100
ds mug into I ana seeing just enough 10 make as "sh
for mare we retracod weary way up ana down th5
long hills and ghts OF steps Gady turning ou O'AS
ON tls disappointing island, we returned 10 hAtNse
and tnere leaving nrk kshss, drove IN our carriage OaoA
Ia Yokonama, after d round trp II over MY niles
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