The sun., 1893-06-04

pioh"sa'iO" VI ~ '"S -'"S'N" %"
tyne. she was naturally lea to investigate the
actual condition OF buddhism IN japan anu oi
shintoism' Which is the rellgion OF the state.
III wo now nirect attention 10 her doom. IL Is ior
.he hsnt II .nro"s On suo'ee'S 'oo o"oh o'or-
loohou pS other Nisi'ors
i.
Tho authors references to these tonics
would havo been much more instructive had
she given evidence OF possessing ADEQUATE
historical knowledge instead OF combining
herself TO a description Of what sho saw.
We obtain glimpses OF Shntoism chiefly in n
chapter containing on account OF n Shintc
funeral which the traveller Witnessed at Ku-
mamoto. According to a Japanese authority.
Shnto rites Of burial are really OF quite recent
origin. although the worshippers claim that
they are a revival of ancient usages practised
before tho introduction OF Buddhism into
Jaran. For many centuries tho Buddhist
priests exercised complete control over burial
ceremonies. and much OF their social and
political influence Is traceablo to this fact
Not many years ago. however an edict OF the
japanese Government deprived them of the
exclusive privilege. and thGs dealt n treme on
douS blow at their nscendancy over tho people.
The followers OF Shintoism. who have notice
ably increased since tho reaction in favor Of
thihkS Jhpanese NJ tno tlT1e OF tno reNOlutlOn,
havo revived or instituted Shinto rites OF
burial. Converts to Christianity are also per-
mitted to intor their dead according to the
regulations OF their feliGion.
1t seems that q Shinto funeral Is conducted
In the following manner: On tho death OF any
member OF family. tho relations send for a
kannushi or Shinto priest. and acquaint him
with the situation OF tho house. the date and
hour OF burial tho cemetery. and so forth.
Thcy also say whether tho funeral will be jo-
to. Chu-to. or ka.to. that is. first. second. or
third class In point of scale. 1t is middle
class funoral which Miss Bickersteth do
scribcs. Tho day having arrived the Kan
nushi, or priest, has everything prepared ac-
cordinGto hetype ofrtual agreed upon. Many
other priests will be in attendance. as woll as
tho one who conducts tho service. Some Of
them will be on horseback. and all will be
dressed in their official robes. A procession
is formed in the following order: First. flowers
sent by friends OF the deccapod; next. banners
OF flvo different colors. blue. yellow. red.
white. and black; then the priests on horse
back and In carriages: then dancers again.
bearing tho name and title OF tho deceased: !:
next comes the coffin. followed by the son Of
the deceased. who walks barcfooted. and by
other relations. all dressed in white. The
procession ends with second band Of priests
and contingent Of friends in carriages.
whose servants bear additional flowers.
tables. &c. service is held in the house be-
fore the coffin is carried out. and includes a
norito or prayer in ancient japanese style.
The coffin is mado OF white wood. and the
priest bears an unpainted staff cut from tho
sacred aiaki tevergrccn) treo. ornamented
with white rnper. white being the mourning
color In Japan. The priest bows three times
to the coffin before and after rending the
norito. and the procession then starts for the
graveyard. Tho coffin is inferred forthwith.
and pole with tho name Of the deceased is
placed upon the grave. and also q small
table with offerings Of water. wine. rice. &c.
flowers being arranged all around the Ilace
OF burial Tho chief priest then stands be-
fore the crave with a bunch Of sakaki in his
hands. which are clasped together on his
breast. He bows three times. puts the branch
on the table. reads prayer. and recounts the
life Of the deceased. He then takes UP the
branch once more. bows three times. and
replaces 1t on the table. retiring n few
steps in order to allow the nearest relations
and all the other people who have attended,
the funeral to follow his example This con-
cludes the ceremony at the grave. and the
friends disperse after they have had tea and
cake offered to them. generally at neiGhbor-
ing tea house. The family and near relatives.
however. accompanied by the priest. return
to the house of mourning. and there the Kan
nusht conducts n further service A small
table is arranged with a few offerings upon it.
and with the namo OF the deceased in tho GEN.
tre Another norito or prayer is read. which
implores tho spirit OF the deceased to pardon
the imperfections OF the funeral. and expresses
grief for his departure. with the hope that he
will become tho guardian spirit OF the family.
Finally the kannushi formally puri1es all