Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1893-09-06
VOLCANOES IN JAPAN.
Six Burning Peaks Among the
Sacred Mountains"
Tho People Arc Keps In . Constant Tor
ror for Fear Of IN Erup-
tion-A Gigantic ....
Crater. ...

state of eruption in 1883, when nearly
one-half of the main peak split off and
fell over upon villages, arabic land and
forests, burying hundreds of hum1n
beings, damming up some streams and
changing the course of others, and so
altering tho entire appearance of the
country that even at this day, accord
ing to the New York World, the ghast-
ly effects of the cataclysm are still
horribly apparent. To add to the ter
rors of the Immediate explosion vast
streams of lava and volcanic mud
poured out over the land, carrying the
work of destruction far beyond the
limits of the fallen mountain. Beyond
the range of these, again, huge masses
of rock were hurled by the force of the
explosion, carrying death and destruc-
ton to hamlets and villages over a
mile from the peak.
Vandalism is one of the six volca-
noes of Japan at present or quite re-
Gently in state of activity. The 9TH
ers are Asamayama, Shirane-san, Vries
island (Oshima), Asosan and Koma-ga-
take. The first two are in eastern ia
pan, in the geographical division known
as the NakaSendo, and have been fire.
quently visited by foreigners. The
third is In the Pacific ocean, just south
OF the entrance to Toxic bay, and its
smoky cap, ut times suggesting heavy
fog bank, will be distinctly remem-
bcrcd by all who.havc been to or come
from Yokohama by steamer. This is
land is in plain sight from the famous
seaside resort and historical place,
Kamal.ura. It's smoke is looked upon
as an earthquake barometer, q sort of
vent for the hidden forces of nature.
When the smoke is visible the people
feel that there is no, great danger of
earthquakes, but when the smoke dis
appears they think that the pent-up
steam must assert itself in some other
way. 1t is said that for some DAYS
prior to the great earthquake Of Oc-
tober, 1901, no smoke at all was seen
, over Vrics island and the flshermen
along shore were extremely nervous.
7. The fourth volcano is in the province
of 1Iigo, southern island of Iiyushiu.
Its about eighty miles due east of the
port of Nagasal1i, but being separated
by Shimabara bay from the peninsula
on which that town is situated, is not
readily accessible. Still good many
foreigners, residents of japan and
visitors from China principally, have
visited it and it we'll repays all effort,
1or 1t has the largest crater in the
world. The fifth volcano is only few
miles east Of the port of IalSodatc. It
IL singularly beautiful mountain and
as the road from Hakodate to Volcanic
bay past the lalzessis good one many
people visit the mountain. The view
OF it from the deck of q small steamer
which crosses Volcano bay is the most
beaut iful of it's kind in all Japan.
Bandal-san is in tho province OF Iwn-
shlro, and is about one hundred and
I seventy-five miles north of Toxic. 1t
is readily accessible, as tho Northern
railway, now open, runs within COM
/ paratively shortdistance of it, and this
is the line over which all who visit the
famous shrines of Nilcl1o pass The in
tcrest which was awakened in tho
mountain in 1888 has made it one of the
"ehow'' places of japan, nnd tourists
E often go there. In 1888 the relief COM
mittees and scientist5who visited tho
scence of destruction,as soon as, posi-
bic had considerable difficulty in got
ting across country and had to, put up
with many hardahips..
All of these volcanoes are included in
the list OF sacred mountains" of Japan
and IRE Annually visited by large num-.
bers OF pilgrims during the summer.
months, Wherever ono travels mt that
season bands Of these.interesting peo-
pie are met They wear white clothing
OF q certain pattern, ersequipped with:
mat on which they sleep at night and
uhe as a protection against the sun or
rain, during the. day, and peculiar,
oo5vSshoped hat Oh. hugh Dimensions.
Although peerless Fuji-Yama is con-
!; sid~Ted ths most sacred of all the fa-
( moanrnountains and is undoubtedly Of
|. volo"nic origins IL 10 not active. There
| is neplaeo op,She west side where the
ground Is notaaebly warm, and indi-
cations Of seisnSS potentialities arc not
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