Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-08-16
A Gigantic Iananese Statue.

The Philadelphia Press says: If there
were nothing else TO mark the skill, gen
ius and artistic workmanship OF the
Japanese, the great bronze statue OF Dia
Bootsz would be sufficient to make their
name imperishable. Dia Bootsz would
be worthy of place among the wonders
of the world, equally so with the Oolos-
sus of Rhodes, Cleopatra's Needles or
the Sphinx of Egypt. This sacred i'm
age was not only built of bronze, but the
Joints were so exact in their fit that they
were barely perceptible to the closest
observer. It's base rested on dais OF
masonry about five feet in height. The
elevation of the body was five jos, or
fifty feet; between the edge of the hair
of the head and the legs crossed, forty
two feet; from knee to knee, seated
cross-legged, thirty.six feet, and the
circumference of the body was ninety
eight feet. The following were the
minor dimensions: Face, eight and a
half feet long; circular spot on forehead,
one and half feet in circumference;
eyes four feet long; eyebrows, four feet
two and half inches; ear, six feet
seven inches; nose three feet nine
inches vertical and two feet four inches
horizontal measurement; mouth, four
feet three and half inches wide; shaved
portion of head on top, called Xix kokee,
two feet four inches in diameter. The
spirally curled locks of hair on the head
were nine and half inches wide and $50
in number. Each thumb measured
three feet in circumference. These fig
ures will convey some idea of the dimen-
sions, if not the magnifcence, of this
s s5pqsffts at: s"'T1f The interior of the statue
formed beautiful temple, in which
gilt images of Buddhist saints, with
croziers and glories and other appropri-
ate objects of worship or reverence. In
front and at the foot of the statue was
an altar, on which were incense pots and
urns, to receive the votive offerings OF
visitors attracted thither by sentiments
of religious fervor or curiosity. Near by
was the residence of the priestly custodi
ans of the sacred place. Here also were
pictures OF the prophet, and refreshing
rotations of tea were purchasable a.
low rates. The scenic effect of the i'm
mediate surroundings of the place were
in keeping with the statue. The back
: ground consisted of mass of gre n anC
: towering trees, the broad way leading
up. was raised at regular intervals b,
small steps, and on either side, growing
in all the luxuriance of the country
! were azaleas and towering plants. TIL,
= magnificent statue itself out of thi
scene of beauty rose in all its magnitude
, and symmetry of proportions. Befor
1t at short distance could be seen tn
rolling indigo-blue waves of the ocean
! The ancient magnifcence of Kamakur
was attested by the numerous ruin
. which strew the plains. Here are hun
dreds of temples and shrines; tn
! Hachiman giu (temple of Hachiman)
1 deifed hero of the bushi military class
several tori (stone portals), supposed t
:. have been the remains of some sac1e
= vesUibule; the Aka bash (Red Bridge,
: Niwoomou gate of the two kings;
! belfry (shinroo), in which was larg
:. bronze bell, made to resound on relie
ious occasions by striking with piec
y of timber swung on ropes. In thi
temple, said to have been the oldest
the empire, was the famous ston
= resorted to by the feminine part of til
), mikado's subjects for the property
u curing barrenness. In the rear, reache
Q by long flight of steps, was sma
temple, in which the renowned Talk,
. samo, the first of the Shiogoons, wo
! shipped the divinities of his country.