The Morning herald., 1878-04-25
THR BIGGEST STATUE In THE
,..r'.s WORLD.

,.r'." WORLD.
We are now in the heart Of Japan. Kioto
city was for many centuries the Mikado's
capital, and until ten years ago, when the
overthrow Of the Shozun left the capital Of
that ruler de facto open, its greater advan-
tages led the Mikado and his Cabinet to
occupy II. This old capital, at one time
with population said to have been 2,0oo,-
600, is now reduced TO 10000. I arose
early, and was glad to find clear morning.
walked out at q side door Of the inn, and
found myself in one Of the approaches to
6hinto temple. was almost under one Of
the granite tout, or monuments. This one
Is about sixty feet high, and four stone
lanterns at the corners of the squares are Of
great size, and older than any have yet
seen. Just as the sun was rising above the
eastern hill, watched the men and women
as they came In front Of the open temple
door and threw their offerings in. Then
clapping their hands, they fold them, bow
the head in devotion, and go away to the
duties Of the day. For moment the tenn
pie was deserted, and man came out with
bic face turned full to the rising sun-the
temple faced the south; he went through
the aame devotional exercises that had
Just seen, but he remained longer, bowed
With his head to the ground, and exhibited
more fervor. +. .....
We have visited several temples situated
on the hillsides, on the east side of the
plain on which the city is spread out. The
Oldest and largest ID known as the Chionin,
and belongs to the Joudo sect. 1t is very
large, measuring in its front over 200 feet.
This sect never paint their temples, and
this one presents dreary aspect of wealth
sr.stained wood. It's age is given as 27O
years only, and II occupies the site Of an
older one destroyed by fire. Stone steps
lead to the bell tower, where hangs the
greet bell, said to be the largest in Japan.
1t is sounded only on the 18th and 25th of
each month. =, II 10 suspended about seven
feet above the ground. The metal at its
rim is eleven inches in thickness. We saw
another bell in size little less near the site
OF another temple, resting on granite sup
ports, on the ground, near where 1t fell.
The bridge leading to mountain temple
Is Of great beauty. It has two arches, and
each arch double; one inverted under the
other, SO that the passages form circles.
Ihe whole, including the balustrade, is of
cut granite In strong contrast with their
religious establishments is the architecture
OF the town. The streets are narrow and
anpavsd, the houses small and ;squalid, and
poverty Is written everywhere.
We have Just returned from a visit to
Nara, one Of the old capitals of the empire,
a'ssant about thirty-six miles. We drove
"a brisk trot for an hour before break
occurred in the line Of houses, when we
crossed branch Of the Vii river, by q
0fogs about thousand feet long. We
.n'ersd long street of what was once, q
.ooasand years ago, Q great city. Away up
mo slope Of the hill it ia covered, where
"sf We went, with walls and pavements as
masstruosibls as the hill itself. Granite
'A's' lead into the Wild forest, which now
S0'els the sits Of vast temples Of wood
O'0aa avenues, whose rocky pavement was
worn smooth by The feet Of dsvout pilgrims
's'0re Christ was Born. a.nnaa \
Here was erected, 1900 years ago, the
Nsess bronse figure the world has ever
.n'wn. Nwsishs 45O tons, and the third
"mple now covers II, without apparent
injury 70 the immense statue. We went
Iound Il, but could form no estimate Of its
a1s' " Our Minister Il Toxic told me that
"As s'1sy tset from the ssat Qt lotus