The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-04-01

III there Was nothing else 10 mark the
skill, genius and artistic workmanship
OF the japanese, the great bronze statute
OF Dia BO0tsz would be sufficient To
make thsiT name impefisliable. Dia
Bootsz would De worthy of place
among the wonders Of the world,
equally so with the Colossus OF Rhodes.
Cleopatra's Needle on the Sphynx of
Egypt. This sacred image Was not only
built Of bronze, but the Joints were 50
exact IA their iii that they were barely
pefceptible 10 the closest observer. Its
base rested ON a dais Of masonry about
B feet ina height The elevation Of the
body was b jos or 30 feet between the
edge of the hair vi the head and the
legs crossed, - feet from knee 10 knee,
seated cross-legged, 30 feet, and the cir
conference Of the body was 90 feet.
The following We're the minor dimen-
sions Face, ). feet long: circular spot
on forehead, feet ia circumference
eyes, four feet long eyebrows, four feet
two and a hall inches ears, six feet
seven inches; nose, three feet nine
inches vertical and two feet -four
inches horizontal measurement mouth.
four feet three and half inches vide
shaved portion Of head on top called
XXX kOt,,, two feet four inches in diam
eter. The spirally curled locks Of hair
on the head were nine and half inches
wide aud $50 IN number each thumb
measured three feet ia circumference;
these figures will convey some idea of
the dimensions, If not the magnificence,
Of this almost superhuman exhibition Of
japanese art. The interior of the
statue formed beautiful temple. in
which were gilded images of Buddhist
saints, with croziers and glories and
other appropriate objects of worship OF
reverence In front and at the feet Of
the statue was an altar, on which were
incense pots and urns, 10 receive the
yotiye offerings Of visitors attracted
thither by sentiment Of religious iervor
or curiosity. Near by was a residence
of the prlestly custodians of the sacred
place Here also were pictures of the
prophet, and refreshing potations of tea
were purchasable at low rates. The
scenic effects Of the immediate surround-
ings Of the placewere ia keeping with the
statue. The back ground consisted Of
a mass of green and towering trees. the
broad way leading up was raised at
regular intervals 10y small steps, and ON
either side, growing in all the luxuriance
Of the country, were azalas Towering
plants. The magnificent statue itself
out Of this scene of beauty rose in all its
magnitude and symmetry of proper
tons. Before IL at a short distance,
could be seen the rolling indigo-blue
of the waves Of the ocean. The ancient
magniiicence of kamakura was attested
by the numerous ruins which stTew the
plains. Here are hundreds Of temples
and shTines; the Hachiman-gin temple
sf Hachiman) a deited hero of the
bushi military class several lori stone
portals, supposed TO have been the re-
mains of some sacred vestibule; the
Aka-bash (Ked Bridge Niw0omou
gate of two kings; belfTy (shinoOi ;,
in which large bronze bell, made TO
resound on religious occasions by stTik-
ing with piece of timber swung ON
ropes. In this temple said 10 have been
the Oldest in the empire, was the famous
stone resorted 10 by the feminine part
of the Mikado's subjects for the property
Of curing barrenness. IL had from time
immemorial been visited for the pur-
poses in view. This extraordinary stone
was boulder about four feet in length.
rallied IN SO as To prevent too ardent a
rush for It's Offices, and near the stone an
urn for the offerings of the devout and
credulOus. in the rear, reached by a
long flight of steps, Was a small temple,
in which the renowned Taiko-samo, the
first of the Shiogoons, worshiped the
diyinities of his country.