The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-04-12
.JAPAN'S SEVEN HELLS.
Hot Springs Where Men and Women d.
Surprising Things.
NAKED PEOPLE WALK THE STREETS.
Cooking ss Done by Means OF Wa.
ter Instead OF fire-An Adventure
Gus Travellers strange Experience
In n Strange Land.

Being out on the coast OF Corea and
Japan, looking for things curious, says Q
st. Louis Globe Democrat correspondent,
| secured from the natives intelligence Of
a remarkable place in the remote interior
Of an island belonging to Japan called
Kieushu. The place is commonly called
"Seven Hells," and, on account Of its in
accessibility and remoteness, has seldom
been visited by Americans or go much as
referred to in print. I determined to visit
this Japanese inferno, and, having every.
thing arranged, set out with provisions
for two weeks travel. The first few days
were spent in small Japanese steamer
crossing three or four inland seas, and
winding around at least thousand differ
ent islands to get in reach Of the mainland
that would lead me to the end Of NY jour
ney. 1t may appear TO be an exaggera-
ton to speak of SO many island and seas
but when it is remembered that Japan
alone has 1000 islands and at least 100
different seas it will not appear strange
that passed 1000 islands in search Of the
one on which is the phenomenon.
When had got as far as could 20 by
water, there was nothing left for me but
to try the crude mode Of travel Of the
islanders for 100 miles or more. l hired q
jinriksha and two coolies to pull me, and
at once proceeded. A whole day and
night were spent in this funny vehicle,
until came at last to mountains so steep
that 1t was impossible for me TO ride fur
Their. Then another change in my mode
of travel was made. l hired coolie and
pack horse to carry my baggage, while ~
took my foot In my hand and walked
for twenty miles over that rugged noun
tain.
Once over the mountains was almost
in sight OF the ''Seven Hells." An arm
OF another sea dashed upin narrow neck.
On every side stood gigantic mountains
capped with snow, while below lay the
beautiful valley. 1t seemed as II might
be entering paradise. 1 walked little
further, and in q moment the earth re-
sounded as II thousand cannon were ex-
ploded beneath me. had reached the
"Seven Hels," and all that had been told
me Of the place was fully demonstrated.
Just few yards from where stood was
the Boiling Sea-" A great smoke and
steam arose like cloud from the water,
and upon an examination l found that the
sea Of water was boiling and bubbling like
pot over stove. The water was scald-
ing hot, and would cook an egg in two
minutes. This boiling sea is considered
sacred by the natives, and the govern
ment had, at one time, to erect fence
around 1t to keep the people from plung-
ing In.
From the Boiling Sea" continual
stream OF hot water runs down through q
village Of about 800 people, who are the
most peculiar human beings outside OF
China. In the center OF the village Is Q
big, round bath OF hot water from the
sea. In this bath from ten to twenty five
are constantly to be seen bathing. There
are no screens or coverings, but men,
women aud children all battle together,
in Adamic simplicity. saw at one time
line women and ten men in the bath.
About fifty steps away from this place
is "sweat BATH" dedicated to one Of
their gods. An open shelter is built in
the streets over a cavern in the earth
which they say Buddha built for them
The excavation has door to il similar t.
an old-fashioned sweet potato house that
southetners build to keep their potatoes
from freezing in the winter. The door Il
about three feet square. and there is nc
way for either person or the steam t.
escape except by the door. In the from
were priests selling tickets for half cen
each, and six persons were admitted Il
the sweat bath at once. Just over thu
entrance stands an image OF Buddha
with rice cakes, flowers and incense offer
ings. The people worshiped as they wen
in, while an old priest stood by telling the
people that whatsoever bathed in faith
should be cured of all malsdies. The
lame and crippled fiocked around and
listened with eagerness. The priest said
that Buddha sent down his angel, who
met an ancient priest and told him that
he would write the name Of Buddha on q
stone and cover it with the earth and
cause the mountain to gush out with hot
water and flow over the name OF Buddhs
for the healing OF all diseased believers.
"This," said the priest, sis the place pre-.
pared by the great gods, and il you would
be healed, enter in and bathe." 1t was
amazing to notice the deluded men and
women, in companies OF six. 90 into the
bath and stay until almost dead from sui
location, and come out dripping with per.
spiration and covered with straw. II
seems that stream from the Boiling
Sea" runs under the excavation, and in
side is thrown a lot of straw, on which
these men and women spread themselves
and stay until they tairly roast them
selves alive. From this place they 90 70
hot shower bath, which consists Of sew.
eral large bamboo poles placed in water
fall from the hot ses, which fell about ter
feet upon the bodies OF the saints JUS
from the sweat bath. From the shower
bath they go to the fountain bath, wher,
the course is completed. The entire pro
cess often takes several hours and is gon,
through without clothing or towels Of any
kind. This keeps the streets alive Will
men and women walking here and Their
as naked as they were born into the world
Another popularity OF this strange PEG
nile ia the way fhav cooL and nnt Eraru