Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-07-19

lee', on lne top oil series OF steps,
and concealed by g. lightly colored
screen and a reed curtain in front, is
the holy of holies. On either side of
the steps, and under the caves, ia Il
grotesque and brilliuntiy-colored fig
ure of seated warrior on high ralled
platform. These two are the "guards. 1"
The centre of the steps leading mp to
the screens, usually kept closed, is
IHid with line mating, upon which the
priests do not tread. In ascending and
descending they plant their bare feet
on the wood at the sides only.
Within the inclosure of the great
shrine are various minor and very
pretty sGrines i'll miniature. Without the
wal, and forming grand background
OF to-iage, is grove OF fine trees; and
on each side, by the main build-
lngs, are other trees among other
small shrines. and tOrii of wood and
stone, including a stable containing
grotesque wooden white horse. The
roofs are often moss-grown, AID Ian
terms suspended here and there with
rich tori indicating q "fox" shrine,
form many spots of beautiful color.
just now the reed curtain is half
r"iSe1, to enable the oificiuting priest
to deposit tremendously under 1t two
diminutive tables bearing dishes of food
(ambrosia, no dOub), for the deIty's
breakfast. Having done so, his rever-
ence descends the stone steps and
salntes me smiliugly, as he utters tie
japanese morning greeting, "OhayO"
t'Honorable, you are early, Aftor
the dishes have been some time under
the curtain, priest will go up again
and remove them. Then, l believe the
priests will make their own meal The
vestmcnts are Of pure white, AID on
the head IS worn a conical hat, made
OF gauZe, Ike meat safe; and very
useful must such a headdress be to
keep off the flies and mosquitoes from
II bald pate.
One morning when there was great
feast, the screen above mentioned was
raised, and a high priest, in grand
sllken robes of green and purple, Off
ciGted. He was attended by other
priests wearing white satin robes lex
cepting one in green silk less gorgeous
than the first, and all with curious lit
tie black lacquered headgear. The
food offerings were fruit, biwas,
bananas, etc, bowls of rice, and fine
fish, the head and tail of which were
connected by string, so that it as
sumed Il curved form as it lay upon the
tray, with heal and spread tail ele-
waited close together. TIE ceremonies
consisted mainly in a variety of obei-
sances and approaches to the shrine
with the offerings; and on that occa-
sion the dignity of all concerned was
marvellous to behold, especially that
of the chief functionary.
f
monies connected with the lives
of the people take place at the
lower level in the second court;
among them one which [ often
witnessed, and which is interesting
u verywhere - namely, the baptismal
rite of infants. 1t is conducted here
after the following fashion. A hand
some dress, suspended from the mother
shoulders, covers the child carried in
her arms, and, where the straps OF the
dress are tied behind, gaudy case Of
brOcade Shaped like an envelOpe) is
attached. She is accompanied by
friend or two, or, if she be of the upper
class, by one or more female servants,
who assist her to perform the custom
ary ablutlOns on entering the temple
grounds. The little party then goes to
ope Is handed to HIM, and he draws
forth a document from it SunGrT
questions are asked, and little cers-
monies gone through, alter which the
priest campauies the party to the
central platform, which they all as
cend. Here they kneel on the mat
ting, and the dress is removed from
the child, which has, of course, been
~. I
vances on his knees, bowing and
prostrating himself towards the end of
the building nearest the high shrine,
where there is q little altar whereOn
are wands from which gOhei are sus-
pended. After making sundry obei-
sances, prayers, etc, he takes one OF
these wands, and, still on his knees,
approach the child, which, being now
allowed its freedom, is crawling eboUt
where it pleases. Thus, before the
PRIEST can come near enough to per.
IoTm Lis Office, a chnse sometimes
takes place, which is apt to be comlcal.
1t concludes by the priests waving the
papers over the child in certain ways
and muttering some accompanying
formula. The child is then retaken
possession of by the mother, who re-
places the gorgeous dress, and the
party again repair to the priests house,
where the document is written on and
handed back by him, and replaced in
the envelope. After the customary
bowirg and smiling, the haptismal
party then go home, looking very
happy and pictureeq que.
Once | saw another OF these custom
airy ri es performed in tho same tenn
plc-thgt of purifcation by hot water.
Near the central platform two water
boilers with wooden lids were placed
in the middle of square, marked ont
Ivy four slender poles, counr cted at the
tops by strin to which little papers
were attached. \ woman in white
ceremonial dress stood on a strip Of
mating behind the water-jars or boil
ers. and after some preliminary VOWS
and prayers removed the lid of orc;
ard, taking "A small bundle of sticks, like
birch rod, in each Enni, began to swish
the steamiug water right and left, to the
accompaniment Of drum beaten bT
temp pie attendant on the central plat
form. When one jar or boiler had
been fairly emptied by this proceeding,
the liis were changed, and, after p
pause of rest flor 1t seemed TO require
no slight exertionl, the performance
WIS renewed until the second jar was
finished also. The won n then made
her final bows ard +, tired, and the
drummer descended and cleared away
tie apparatus.
The performers of this rite were
serious enough thems .lvrs; but an in
ciIent occurred which shovel that the
impression made upon tue spectators
was not so deep as TO denden their
sense of fun. While the hot water was
fiving about some children were
sIlashed by it, and lnughingly retired
out of reach. Bat one yong urchin
pretended to bs dreadfuliy hurt, howl
ing alternately with rOars of laughter
ot his own humor Nobody, however,
took offence, and the few lookers-on
ouly laughed too.
Sometimes, indeed, ludicrous Incl
81 Ir-f tho off aio1