The Hawaiian gazette., 1877-01-17
LETTER FROM JAPAN.

hoBE, JAPAN 1910.
DEAR GAaErTE.-sOme weeks since told you
about grand old KiyOto, the capital of Japan. is
said for 1000 years. will refer to its TEMPLES
They are said to be great and sma , 5000 in number
One writer says 5000 in the city and its vicinity
But if SO, the great mass of them are merely little
shnto shrines where, however, prayers said and
aims given. Ignorant the deVOtees are, they
to know that these should go together. That there
are here many large and costly temples is unques-
tionable. And Mr.. Davis, who has spent mouth
this summer five or six miles distant on the side of
noble mountain. says, that in a space of one and
half miles, by three-quarters of mile broad he
cue hundred temples, mostly in decay, but some well
preserved and rooted with copper. All those which
saw in KiyOto Buddhist property; ana yet it is
said by natives that their system is fast declining 1t
has been said that the temples of this Empire have
ccst as much all other buildings aud, excluding
the houses Of the rulers and those buildings erected
since the revolution, it rather credible, for the
habtatoEs Of private Japanese are usually small and
cheap.
On oath June. 1875, we dined with Mr.. and Mrs.
DOane and in the afternoon she kindly pioted us to
two fine temples in the suburbs on hill side in the
VI court cemetery, well kept, ana
enclosed by strong wall and over-shaded by noble
forest trees. Graves usually marked by granite
pillar, foot square and from six eight feet high,
with some inscription it, and occasionally capped
with hat shaped piece of granite. You enter the
court through broad strong gate and approach the
temple by weIpayed clean street, about 20 feet
broad aud 200 feet long. The building is about 100
feet long and so feet long. and must have much
labor and expense. The whole breadth and some rs
feet Of its length is open, though think there
gates overhead that hoisted the keepers dis
cretiOn This open space is supported by ten or
twelve pillars, rs to 80 inches in diameter and rs to
30 feet high-four Of them each side of the plat
form where images exhibited. The chief image
here is guided face of Budha, and although be is
usually represented quite at and happy, be
seems grim and uncomfortable. 1t stands on plat
form three four feet above the floor of the open
space, and is adorned each side and overhead
with very elaborate engravngs, flowers, etc., and the
ends and front of the platform adorned with rich
paintings of birds, and painted screens. said to be
hundreds of years old. There also, the
image, 4 bureau aud few other articles Of highly
finished lacquer ware.
The Worshppers stand outside of the temple, but
facing the image; bow and pray, sometimes clap
hands and then toss their offerings into box which
stands the floor above them. The temples seem
to be built for the display of the idols and to
worshppers. The chief space in them seems to be |
used for store rooms work shops.
In another temple which we visited, was a gigantic |
image with SO arms, and IS black images larger |
than life stood around it, and on each side two
Of gilt idols with twenty each. On either aide
Of the temple, running from end to end, were ten |
platforms, rising like steps behind the other on
each side of which so images, as large life, thou
sand in all, each one a separate pedestal. They
we're so arranged as to stand in rows Of fve be-
hind the other, and all visible at one time each with
its twenty hands. On the hands and heads of all |
hese placed smaller idols to the number of forty
pr more, so that the number SO 1888, according to
Japanese estimate, does not appear exaggerated.
The writer adds The beautiful temple
grounds, all over the city, afford delightful public
parks, always open to the people who go in and out
Of the temples at their pleasure, mumbing their
prayers before some saint idol, and then throwing
heir contributions into the Golfers"
saw one temple court of about two acres, with
zine trees 30 or 40 feet high without limb and
lnder brush, and the ground completely carpeted
With a beautiful clean green sward and small pond
Il lotus flowers and sacred fish. which often found
the temples But With all their idols parks and
70 900 priests, the people miserable.
Not far from this temple is beautiful green cir
ular mound about SO or 60 yards in circumference
md II feet high, surmounted with q rough granite
'agoda, or feet high. 1t is called the mound of
,orea and slaughtered many of its inhabitants; and
he custom then to bring the heads Of the slain
heir rulers proof of their powers; but the heads
eing to bulky to be transported they brought the
ars presume they were disposed of in this way to
Emulate the martial spirit and to crafty national
ride.
Prostitution, which is said to be licensed in every
ity. is here bold and unblushing. The inmates Of
rothes, decked in gay attire, out in beoy, and
Tth fOuntng banners parade the most public streets
Tithout hindrance.
Let me give you the views of 9 Japanese, rs
ound in Japanese newspaper, on temperance. 1t
said wine is the best of all medicines But this is
he language of tipplers used in their defense.
instead of wine drinking being for the good of the
Odyi it is the direct By it, disspated per-
ons led into debauchery and the neglect Of their
antilles. If we inquire shall find they men
tho have civilized their mouths /; but while such
ractices are in vogue civilization cannot advance,
nd when think Of this my tears fall. When, ages
go, God created man, He fixed the great relation
hip Of husband and wife, but disregard this,
uee themselves to the level Of beasts by giving
lemselVes over to lust and debauehery. God pun
hes them therefore by the infection Of such plaques
syphilis and like diseases. Those who give them
elves up TO wine and women defend themselves by