The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-06-03
A japanese God.

The Yokohama correspondent of the
Chicago Inter Ocean writes to that paper
az. account of recent visit to great
Japanese god located about fifteen miles
from that city:
A walk of hundred rods brought me
20 large gate, which appeared TO be
guarded by two of the most horrible figures
you can possibly imagine. More than
life size, with eleven feet, protruding eye
balls, horns and wings, and all painted a
bright red, made up SO correct repre-
Eentation that / am convinced the devil
either sat in person TO the artist or sent his
photograph.
Yet in spite of their responsiveness these
be gods, and are worshiped by the peo-
PIE. but apprehend 1t is as they worship
dozen other demons; to propitiate them
and not to add new blessings to their store.
The method is unique and consists in a
small offering, short prayer, and the ex-
puIsion from the mouth of pellet of
paper or "spitball, - directed at the idol
If it adheres, pass in, but if il falls off it
Is equivalent to our theatrical free list
entirely suspended and the would be
petitioner turns back
Simply remarking . Press" / passed
inside and paused. 1t was well / did,
else had l missed the finest view of the
grand old god. Some hundred feet in
front, upon massive base, he sat, and my
feelings were strange and mingled as
gazed upon him. Where are now the
mighty forests and the waving fields of
gram, where the temples to his glory, the
busy homes Of men and the courts Of
princes guarding him on the surrounding
hillsf As though it were in mockery, the
hand OF time had spared this idol of ma
ton, but with all its honors gone, for OF
Its tabled treasures there remains TO it
nothing save its throne, lotus flower.
coronet of shells and the graves of those
VINO have been. These are the only
records left of city which was founded
In honor Of the god.
The face wears an expression Of calm
Tepose, the eyelids closed and the lips
slightly compressed as though the god
were lost in meditation. You see | dom,
speak OF Diabutz as thing Of inanimate
bronze, for the entire scene impressed me
so deeply that although / am Christian,
l could not then, nor can | now, repress a
feeling OF awe while thinking of its won.
drous history.
Do not ask me how old It is, for l
neither know nor care Old enough to
have outlived all reliable data in the ma
TONS neurological records-to see the
very stones of its temple crumble away
ana tiny saplings grow TO stately trees and
form green roof over it, 1t is of bronze,
to which age has lent rich, light green
ish tinge. 1t is fifty feet high, the head
being eight feet long, and its circumference
al the base is 100 feet. 1t is in sitting
posture, with its robes gracefully draped
about it. 1t is indeed the work of mas
ter hand. Hr--r
As | stood admiring from distances sew.
eral pilgrims, who had evidently come a
long way, for they were travel stained and
weary. entered the gate and approached
the god. followed them and saw them
first cast coin into the treasure box, then
fold their hands in prayer. After resting
short time they turned and went their
way, looking very happy and contented
and no wonder, for, in their ignorance,
they believed they had seen the greatest
god Of all
wish | had never approached so close
ly to the image, for it's distance lends
enchantment to the view" and a near
view shows you great seams, where the
various plates of which it is composed are
Joined together. In one side is an en-
trance leading up by few STEPS to the in
terror, which is fitted up as temple, with
shrines, lesser idols, incense, etc, while
the chamber is dimly lighted by two small
windows let into the back
On emerging | was met by the bonze or
priest in charge, who looked entirely on,
OF keeping with the popular idea of re-
cluse. Ills nose had an unnatural reddish
tinge, his eye was somewhat bleared, and
he looked far too Juvenile for his sacred
calling. | came 10 the conclusion he had
at some time in his young life been crossed
in love and had taken TO religion and
drink to assuage his grief The latter
part of my surmise was shortly proven cor
rect, for, when / remarked was thirsty,
he brought me, instead of water, two bot
ties, one labeled BASS Pale Ale" the
other i" Old Rye Whisky" Reproachful-
ly | looked at him, and sadly turned
away, rejecting on the wretchedness
which had reduced mighty monarch to
become the chief attraction of an un-
licensed gin palace