The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-08
CREMATION IN JAPAN.

Mr.. ii. w. Lucy writes to the PdH-1udH
Gazette: There is one nation, now the
oldest empire in the world, where crema-
ton is an established usage, and where the
Government, with shrewd appreciation OF
the advantages OF sanitary laws. have OF
late years carefully fostered 1t. This is
Japan, where cremation establishments,
under Government control, are to be
found in all the chief cities. In Toxic the
principal place of cremation is situated at
Shen-io, a suburb reached through long
lines OF busy streets. 1t was tete day In
the neighborhood, and at the time OF my
visit we approached it through dense
crowd of holiday-makers. The shops were
brightly Int. Jinrickshas abounded, most OF
them holding two, and one at least four per-
sons. two being babies. On these occasions
the ,Japan infant obtains change OF view
and pOsition. For the most part it peers
out upon the world round the side OF It's
mothers or sisters head. But it being
nhysically impossible for woman TO sit In
a iipricksha with the everlasting baby al
her back. il is on this occasion only slowed
round to the front. Many OF the tea
houses in this quarter were brilliantly iliu-
minated with scores OF lanterns. One,
which our guide said was ga goose
bouse.o had over a hundred, tall pole
running I'D from before it hanging out
score. 1t appears that the japanese IS
ranidly developing carnivorOus tastes. AS
the home culinary department is not yet
eoual TO cooking Joints. the Luxurious Japa-
nese OF the lower middle class goes out 10
n beef.house or a goose and duck-house,
and feeds on the unfamiliar Wand.
After an hours drive through lane OF
husv life we came to the silent house where
the dead awaited the last service OF the
living. II stands little apart from the
main road, building OF single story,
with an ent-loOking tall chimney, ana
might be connected with pottery or
small iron foundry. The business is always
conducted privately, and there are Few IN
Toxic, except those who are professionally
engaged. who have witnessed the process.
Rnf arrangements made by the omnipotent
Foreign Minister opened the doors, ana
secured respectful welcome for MS. we
were first received in The house OF the
manager. where tea was served III
priceless proclaim cups OF kutanl ware
The furnace, If so imposing a name may
he used for process so simple, stood
few paces from the house. On entering u
there was nothing to be seen but what
anneored TO be two butter-tubs resting
mon a few fagots OF wood. There were
several cavities about two inches deep ana
a foot long, in the stone floor, and these
were filled with shavings. According 10
mnnicjpal law no burning is TO De done
before half-past 6 in the evening. II
still wanted ten minutes to that time, Dut
in the circumstances the manager thought
ne would be safe in anticipating the hour,
and the shayings were tired: A.,
one of the men, kneeling before the
growing flame, famed 1t with piece OF
wood. IL caught the dry faggots, greediiy
licked the sides OF the tub, rose high IN the
air and then with horrible thud the mead
of the barrel burst outward. quick us
Thought the man seized large piece OF
wood living by in readiness, and hld rom
siobt whatever may have protruded. III Is
the boast OF the skiliul cremator that UNI
der his supervision the contents OF the oar
rel are never exposed to view. A heavy mat.
tho ~ wet straw Is laid over the length OF
,ha barrel before the fire Is ignited. AS
The barrel Is burned away this falls in ana
.n the body. In three hours the work
a. anne. Every particle Of flesh Is burned
a.,ay and there remains only the skeleton.
The bones and the TEEN tne 'e'a'''''
lect and give them sepuicnre: ,,o, az
There are three classes OF c!e a,sus "ac ~
this establishment In the hr,t c,asS . eiun
hody Il burned separately, charge pelhs ,
made Of seven yen, equal to twenty-elgna,
sh,iiings in our money. In the secona
class tie charge IL only ten shiii'ngs, .he
Ssfserence being that two or more, accolu,
mt - the briskness OF trade. are Durned
~ thc sare time. The third class Psy sla'
srd.sixpencs, the semblanee Of . CONN pa0'