The southern argus., 1891-12-03
MICROSCOPIC IDOLS.
Carvings from an Ancient
Temple in Japan.

| two inches in height. containiDr ,bSus
carved images of Japanese 3ei,;aa
: says the Philadelphia Led0er. ThaSe
: objects, which were obtained fres
Japan for the museum by q II
Kajiwara. japanese gentleman A.
present residing in this city, are necn
liar to one of the temples in his natirs
province. 1t is the custom at Ian
nose temples to sell pilgrims and wor
shippers small strips Of paper or yoodsn
tablets bearing the name of the temnl.
and sometimes of the gods there wor.
SHIPPED. -
These are worn as charms and c.r
ried in the bosom by q strap aroma
the neck. At Raj Gan Zan, or .Hol.
Rock Mount in the province !,
Iwashiro. about 100 miles from Toxin
one of the Oldest temples In Japan
small wooden images of the japanese
gods have been carved for ages anS
sold to pilgrims. The first are said
to have been made by the famous
Buddhist priest, ko-bo Daishi, In Ss7
A. D.. and the industry is repu,ed r.
have been handed down from him 70
the present time.
Ko-bo Daishi (774-834) was one q,
the greatest promulgators Of Buddb;sm
in the history Of Japan, and is noted "a
a caligraphisk painter, sculptor, and
even an engrayer npon wood. He
visited China S04 A. d.. aud on his re.
turn brought many relics. images. and
pictures into his native country. The
title Ko-bo Daishi (great teacher who
spreads abroad the law is posthumous
1t is customary for the japanese to
attribute so much to him that IL seem.
quite natural to find him regarded as
the inventor of these carvings.
The objects acquired by the museum
are from this temple. They are all OF
unpainted white wood. The smallest
carving is about one-tenth OF an inch
in height and represents Daikokn, one
OF the seven gods Of good fortune, who
presldes over worldly prosperity. He
carries mallet and stands upon two
rich bales. There exists in the collec-
non OF Japanese prints in the British
museum wood engraving of this per-
sonagc. OF which the original block Il
SAID to have been engraved by Ko-bo
Daishi himself.
Ihe other carving. which Ii mount.
ed upon stand of the same material
ana protected by cuplike cover. re-
presents kwannon, the goddess OF
mercy, one of the most popular divlni-
ties In Japan. Her name and appear.
ance are well known to collectors Of
japanese and Chinese art, and her
worship is as popular in China az in
Japan. Indeed, picture Of her is
hung as an object of worship in one OF
the shrines erected by Chinese laborers
in Philadelphia.
The lacquered shrine contains im-
ages Of the San Zou. or Three Vener-
ables. These are Bosatsu-Bodhisat.
toa. he whose essence has become In
telligence; Shaka Sakamuni, and
Niyovai-Amida Buddah. The inner
surface of the shrine Is gilded. Its
doors being opened, they disclose the
images seated on pedestals under a
vermilion canopy. 1t is apparent.
with the aid of glass. that every de.
tail OF their features. their dress and ac-
cessories, Is perfect. aud even the ex.
preston of the faces. although they
are smaller than pin heads, is carefully
portrayed.
These small images are intended to
be worshiped. and such il actually
lone by many japanese prayers being
addressed to them and incense burned
before them.
A small piece of printed paper ac-
'ompanying the images tells how they
we're first made. 1t says: The priest
Ao-bo Daishi prayed and tasted seven
laws and seven nights. that he might
ave the people from all calamities.
1e carved the images with holy pray
RS and supplications. saying. Give
good fortune TO the generations to
come who will keep the images holy
Ind put faith in them. Let happiness.
Tirtue wisdom. and knowledge flourish
Imong them. May they be delivered
rom all calamities of swords and
vaters'-i. e., wars and food. He
arved finely through the virtue OF his
'rayers. and the secret of his carvings
as been taught from generation to
eneration TO this day."
The present successor Of ko DO
)aishi in the art of carving il "A veneer
BILE priest named Tsuki-moto Bokuson.
'ho Is 80 years Of age He Is now in
.ructing his successor. In a recent
'tter to Mr.. Kajiwara he gives some
ccount OF his work. He saws that he
ever uses any wood except that which
rows upon the holy mount. The
cures are carved from the wood Of
10 plum. cherry, peach. and ginko
ee. lie uses only a common table
1d single knife. In the year 1883
10 number of the carvings was 4.s6l.
l OF which he did himself. Formerly
did not use glasses. but now be
'es spectacles when he finishes bis
ork.
These carvings must prove q con.
1erable source of revenue 10 the tenn
c. a they are sold at a comparatively
gh price, and there Is q large demaad
them, not only on the part Of the
Panese. but as objects of art aud
rlosIty by collectors iu other lands.
ie Industry Of their manufacture.
WeVer. continued though it has been
nearly thousand years. is now
ely 10 be lost The spread OF educa-
. IN Japan will destroy the ancient
perstitions. and the 46. 600 or more
lools will soon tend to efTace popular
lei In such idols. as well. perhaps. as
religious fervor by which these
wings were inspired.