The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-01-23
Innnneso Rellrlous TestIrals.

The Japanese are among the finest
noriculturists, and no habitation, how
ever small, but has its bed of flowers, in
some cases not two feet square. Their
religious beliefs are, and always have
been, source of constant mystery to
foreigners, as the methods Of worship OF
their deities vary according to the whims
of the reigning governors There is one
festival however, which they have al
ways kept for ages out of mind, and Is
parade in honor of the god Sweva, or
the patron of the province. This festi
val which is the more brilliant from its
CHANGING to coincide in point of time
with one of the annual religious festivals
common to the whole realm, is of ten
days duration, and begins by devotional
rites in the temple.
Everybody visits the temple in his
robes of ceremony, prays there, and
makes the usual Offering, which is on
scale commensurate with their means,
and always includes cup of saki, which
is the national beverage, something like
ginger ale. The image of the god is
then taken upon the shoulders of stout
men, and, with all his Ohe god's) pos
sessions, such as offerings, etc, is placed
on pedestal in the public square,
where all can pay devotional visits. In
the procession may be seen all imagina-
BILE shapes and things; in the lead a
number of two-sworded gentry, who
carry light poles, to the top of which
are affixed large brass rings, and the
poles being struck upon the ground at
every pace, q most confused jangle is the
s-to -, FaI
low, whose flowing robes are covered
with all kinds of emblematic devices,
such as birds or beasts that are
favorites, some renowned man or
celebrated woman, the instruments
of Va particular trade or some
thing alluding to the prosperity of the
country, or sometimes of locality, or
that recalls the fame or the simplicity of
the early Japanese. Next come the mu-
sicians, blowing horns and reed pipes,
and beating tom-toms, drums and gongs,
and in general creating q most deafening
uproar, whereat the populace shout and
dance for glee. The Ottona, or mayor,
comes next, leading train of children
in mimic representation of one of the
mikado's grand campaigns, and each lit
tie one is clad and armed in the exact
costume of the time of the battle, and
is an exact counterpart of the heroes of
old. Next in order is q miniature repre-
sentation of the japanese court by chill
dren dressed to ape the manners of the
sovereign and his courtiers, and the
truth to life which these children put
into their parts is very amusing to their
parents. There are two religious fes-
tivals in all parts of the empire in every
month, the grandest of which, however,
is the festival of the New Year. This
festival is preceded by the payment of all
debts contracted in the past year, and in
that feature is worthy of imitation among
more civilized people. No Japanese,
however poor, but will make sacrifices in
order to meet the New Year demand.
One of the most touching ceremonies is
the putting afloat upon the bay myriad
lighted and highly-colored lantern, which
represents the souls of the friends who
have departed this life, and the eagerness
with which the career of each individual
lamp is watched as it tosses upon the bill
lows of the open bay, now lost to sight,
again up brightly burning, while the
trustful heart watching it is strung to a
fearful tension till it finally drifts beyond
the aching vision, sure proof that the
| departed one has met his reward in the
Japanese heaven.