The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-10-19

volcanic regions Of Japan extends
from Bandai San to Asama YOma.
Some scientists predicted that there
was likely to be an eruption at Asama
also, but really it has been much quiet
er since than before the erup ton OF
Bandai San. The last eruption OF
Asama Yoma occurred hundred
years ago, killing many people, and
those who escaped afterwards starved
to death. The scoria is now covered
up in uost places by layer Of ri h
soil, and there are many little villages
dotting the plain. From Karuizana
it is about II miles to the top of the
mountain. Some who visit it walk
the whole distance, but horses can be
hired and ridden to the base of Ko
Asama, which is PARKWAY up the side
of the mountain. From there by
steady climbing you can reach the top
in two hours. 1t is quite difficult,
being steep, and having nothing but
the lose scoria upon which to get q
footing. 1t is necessary to take lunch
and wraps along, as it is very cold up
5000 feet above the sea. The crater IL
large, the was are very white, !streak.
ed with some dark stone and you can
see down several hundred feet when If
is clear. 1t is an awful sight, and even
strong men tremble when they look
down. Often the sulphur fumes are
strong that it is necessary to lie face
downward on the ground to escape
them. The smoke and vapOr comes
up with puff and rises several hund.
red feet in the air like column. 1t is
well worth visit, not only for the
volcano itself but for the magnificent
view of the surrounding country in
Guiding Friji San which is eighty
miles away.
~
We left Karuizawa on the 4th, COM
ing as far as Ueda, distance of TWEEN.
ty.five miles by coach, called in Japan
"bash." We hired a whole one to
take our party of our and the luggage.
They are miserable things to ride in,
narrow, hard seats, no springs worthy
of the name, loose wheels, poor worm
out horses, a driver "shOoing" and
whipping all the time and a small
boy on the steps blowing horn as if
he intended that we should have our
moneys worth. Some of the drivers
remind one of some of Dickens charac-
tiers. One We noticed was very slim.
He wore pair of high top, loose boots
japanese trousers which are close fit
ting, long Japanese dress which was
unbelted and fluttered behind him as
he walked; foreign coat and straw
hat with a blue ribbon on it. He
doubtless thought he was dressed in
fine foreign style. He occupied him
self by chewing green hazelnuts and
driving alternately One of the coach
boys was like joe, the fat boy. While
the old coach bumped along over
the stones and swayed to and fro, that
boy stood on the step and slept, only
waking occasionally to give his horn a
toot. We were glad enough to leave
the coach at Ueda, where we rented a
newly.made tea house and spent the
night. The early train next morning
took us to:Nagano, where we stopped
off to visit the celebrated temple there.
For quarter of a mile before reaching
the temple the street Is wide, and paw
ed with stone, On each side are nu.
merous shops, where shrines, pictures,
fruits, etc. are sold. There are two
large gates before the temple. In the
yard are many lanterns, large and
finely carved. The temple has three
entrances. and wide veranda on three
sides. The first thing you notice on
the inside is large mirror. The peo-
ple-mostly pilgrims-who come long
distance throw coin into a small box
and worship before it. The same thing
is done before dozens of objects. There
are idols large and small, over humid
red of them to be worshiped. There is
one whose face is rubbed smooth by
the application Of hands. 1t is the god
of health, and the sick and DISEASED
come there for healing. About two
thirds of the way back into the temple
screen of wire is stretched across and
no one is allowed to enter unless the
shoes are removed and sum of money
paid to the smooth headed priests.
The majority kneel on the outside and
throw their coins in onto the mats.
In this part of the building are the
sacred manuscripts, in fine gold lac
nuor hovos olono pt brOp1o foooo fSpo