Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-22
FEAST OF LANTERNS.
"A Curious Annual Reception OF Ghosts Held
In . Japanese City.


In Japanese City.
pERHAPs THE MOST INTERESTING OF
u japanese festivals is that called the Feast
OF Lanterns" which is celebrated about Sep
TENDER OF each year. It is actually nothing
more nor less than . formal reception given
70 all the spirits Of the dead, and for this rea-
son Thousands Of people flock into Nagasaki
rom the neighboring country to take part in
the ceremony. dressed in their best attire.
Upon the first day of the feast the ghosts Of
the departed are supposed to leave the spirit
lana In order to revisit their homes upon
earth. On this day the head of each family, in
MS best apparel sits in the reception room Of
his house. the entrances to which are all thrown
open. At frequent intervals he bows cere-
moniousiy and utters words Of welcome. in
order that the spirits as they enter may not feel
themselves to be neglected. This procedure is
carried on far into the night, especially by such
conscientious Buddhists as have numerous
spirits to receive
On the second day all the spirits are sup
posed to have arrived, and the household tenn
PIE "a small cabinet apartment which is TO be
round In the house of every believer in Buddha,
set apart for the use of the dead) is gnily deco
ratca with flowers and filled with choice stores
OF fruit, rice, tea. wine and other delicacies.
The family Of the house. sitting in the room to
wnich the spirit-chamber is attached hold high
iestivai. eating and drinking and enjoying
themselves after the Japanese fashion. This
ieasting OF the living with the spirits Of the
DEAD continues throughout the whole of the
seeoho Gay ana the greater part of the third
BUT THE NIGHT OF THE THIRD DAT
is the time appointed when the ghosts must re-
turn to their places in the spirit land. and a,
'ne evening draws on the people, young AND
IN
burial places and deck out the graves with
bright paper banners and many-colored lam
terms, which are lighted as the sun goes down
ana tne darkness comes on. This decoration
ana Illumination is made as beautiful and bril-
hant as possible, so that the last view of the
pleasing and happy.
| toward midnight the time for departure
draws nigh, the male portion Of the people
form themselves into professions. every :ndi.
'iouai OF which bears sloft a Lighted lantern
suspended &c a bamboo pole about ten fee,
long. and. like so many torrents of fire pouring
Gown the hillside. proceed to carry to the Sea
tne boats IN which the spirits are to return to
the land whence they came.
CURIOUS BOATS
lnese boats are made of plated straw. and
are more or less elaborate models Of the ordi.
nary native craft. Each is decorated with flags
ard streaners. and has q stock Of provisions
and money on bcard-the money for the fer
rage OF the Styx. The size of these straw boats
varies from to 10 or 30 feet in length. and are
al provided with one or more lanterns to enable
the spirit crew to steer their course.
., Inc professions having reached the shores of
tine Day and the lanterns on board the stra "
boats having been trimmed and lighted the
fragile barks are launched upon the waters and
san away INTO the western sea, carrying the
spirits to that far-off land where the sun and
stars 60 to rest and where is situate that glori-
Gus Nirvana where the spirits of all good
baddhists pass the time in happy oblivion.
lhe myriad lights of the boats scattered far
and wide, dancing upon the slightly ruffied
water, make a scene. viewed from distance. of
Almost fairy enchan.nent The cries of the
people the chanting of the priests. the sound
OF gongs, the music of shamisens. the naked
except the sirdle cloth) bronzed figures of the
people hying hither and thither in wild excite
ment. blended with the shadows OF the night.
form altogether picture impossible to describe.
anu winch leaves upon the memory an i'm
preston as OF some wild, weird phantas-
magOria