The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-09-20

Sights and Surroundings Off Great Japa-
nese Town.

the treaty ports as regards business and
foreign population, but as a place of
residence it has many advantages over
the latter place. The principal business
is the preparing of tea, and the large
houses are oil near the "bund," as the
water front is called. In front of the
European settlement or concession n
long grass plat runs along the seawall,
and fronting on this plat their upper
windows affording fine view of the sea,
are the consulates and hotels as we'll as
numerous private residences Connect
I'd with Kobe is the japanese City Hio-
go, one of the most important places in
Japan, and one with many temples.
Kobe is noted throughout Japan for the
fine carving and engraving that are
done here in ivory, wood and tortoise
shell. One of the places of most inter
est to foreigners is the Kobe Club. The
clubhouse is large and situated in the
outer edge of the town, close to the sea.
The grounds are beautifully decorated
with evergreens and flowers, and the
house itself, consisting of reading room,
billiard rooms, bowling alley, whist
room and library, is cool aud roomy.
The library consists of about 500 we'll
assorted books, and in the reading room
all the prominent Magazines of Europe
and America are to be found. Opposite
the clubhouse is Recreation Park,
placed at the disposal of the foreigners
by the government as a cricket ground.
Fronting on tho park is the gymnas-
ium, also fitted as a ballroom and
theatre. There is not much in Kobe
itself to interest q stranger, outside the
'curio" stores where one may price
$4,000 Satsuma vases, rare tea sets, old
nrmor, ETC.; but the hills around the
town contain many spots of interest.
On one of the higher hills, some
1900 or 5000 feet above the sea level,
is the Temple of the Moon, one of the
many Buddhist temples TO be found in
Japan. Having great desire to see
this temple l started early on Sunday
morning. Calling a "jiri-rikisha," l
told the man where to go, and left the
direction to his knowledge of the town.
After a ride of about five minutes the
rikisha man suddenly stopped in front
OF ''tea house, as the taverns in Japan
are called, and said that he could take
me no farther. At the very start 1 had
my choice of two roads. Trusting
blindly in the guides judgment, 1 fol-
lowed the road pointed out by him,
which passed up the valley between two
hills. The path was broad and fair for
long distance, when it became very
rocky and narrowed down in one place
to width of twenty feet between the
sides of the hills, while the branches of
the trees met and interlaced overhead,
forming natural tunnel, damp from
the moisture on the moss-covered rocks,
but ccol and refreshing to the weary
walker. From this point the path be-
came very rough, and it was soon evil
dent that it did not lead to the temple.
Retracing my steps, 1 soon had the
satisfaction OF seeing people passing
back and forth on the brow of one of
the hills. As short cut, determined
to climb the hill, q resolution regretted
very shortly. The first part of the as.
cent Was easy, out the last two hundred
feet was quite perpendicular, dangerous
and wearisome in the extreme. Arrived
at the top, saw the longed-for road a
few feet below me. Having rested, l
started joyfully out on good broad
path which wound and twisted around
the hill, ever ascending. But my Joy
soon gave way to WEAKNESS when on
reaching the top of the hill the temple
appeared on the brow of the next one.
Sitting down to rest on the brow of the
hill, the cool sea breeze sweeping up
the hillside and the lovely view soon
restored my strength and good-nature.
Looking down the valley one could see
the level country studded with villages,
green rice fields and small ponds for
irrigating purposes lying calm and
beauteous in the MONDAY sun, while
the shores Of the "Inland Sea" curved
far away in the distance. Sails dotted
the sea everywhere, and the ships at
anchor looked no larger than rowboats.
The white line of dust marking the
route of the Kioto railway wound SER
pent-like among the green fields, while
the smoke from the numerous paper
mills in Hiogo assembled lazily. Japan
ese, clad in gala dress, were passing
back and forth, and silence, broken
only by the voice of q man at occasional
intervals, rested on the whole scene.
Resuming my way, passed down the
hill into the valley, and commenced the
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we'll shaded with cedars, and at every
turn one came across beggars sitting
smoking by the side of small fire OF
turgs. The ascent was steep, indeed,
and nothing save the merry laughter oi
a Jap. family whom 1 had joined, and Q
strong determination not to allow a girl
do morethan l could, kept me a.going
After climbing for some time the patti
ended at series of flights Of stone steps
some forty odd steps in each flight. Al
the head Of each one were tea houses
and at the head of the whole series wai
the temple.
In the temple were numerous idols,
and in front of each offerings for the
departed. In the main temple was
large box, in front of which hung cords
to large bell overhead. The worship
per drops piece OF money in the box
| L 4. L. l. 4