The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-10-22
Written for Tap ConnouvrALru1
A LETTER FROM JAPAN,
MANY VOLCANOES,
About Idols and Reli9ion.

The original name of Japan is Dai-
Nippon, meaning great dayspring
Japan is part of the chain of volcanoes
stretching from Kamtschatka into Chi
ma. There are eighteen active voIca
noes in Japan and earthquakes occur
continually. Most of the mountain.
are covered with forests and ali types
of vegetation. A picnic in Japan i,
called "fower-viewing," and several
times year the whole population
turn out tor no other purpose than to
visit places noted for certain xmas oi
nice blossoms. Around these, the ma
tive holidays revolve. The natives eat
rice as staple food, bread being al
most unknown to them. The poor
people in the country eat millet, wheat,
barley..and radish Buddhism forbids
their eating meat, but some OF them
eat it anyway, thinking it will not be
known. They call a deer, mountain
whale, yenison is sold in the market as
fish. The natives are bright and quick
and frank, faithful and kind but lying
is national vice with them. They
will often lie rather than be impolite
to you.
The Japanese are supposed to have
come from Korea. There is a large
idol in Tokyo, the capitol of Japan,
and there is an iron grating enclosing
one of these figures, on which hang
many straw shoes. Belonging to the
main apartment of the temple is a
shine, where men, women and children
pay their devotlons. They toss small
piece of money in box, four or five
feet long, and place their hands on
their heads and repeat few words in
a low voice for about five minutes,
then give room for others. Not far
from the shrine is wooden image,
much worn by rubbing. A person
with sore hand rubs the hand of the
Image, one with weak eyes rubs the
eyes of the idol and so on, in hopes
that the afflicted members will thus be
healed. The image of Buddha at
Kamauna, thirteen miles from Yoko-
hama, Is made of bronze and is forty
four feet high. It was caste and erect
ed over six hundred years ago. In
front of the idol are vases and bronze
basin where incense is burned day by
day, for the pilgrims who are constant
ly coming dressed in white garments
With broad hats and little bells fasten-
ed to- their gi7dles or slaves. The
Amos are believed by many to be the
original inhabitants of Japan. They
are now found only in the northern
part. of the empire. There are more
than fifteen thousand of these people.
They are ignorant, but very kind, gen
tie, and moro truthful than their more
civilized countrymen. They have
beautiful brown eyes and straight black
hair. In winter they wear coats and
hoods of skin, in summer long coats of
basque cloth. All the women tattoo
their faces. Their customs are much
like the japanese and they are despised
by them. At one time it was against
the law to teach any Amos to read and
write. They think that there are good
and bad CANCELS" and that there will
always be difference in them. They
nave no direct intercourse with God
and pray only when they are in want
OF something. The man is always
afraid of his wife's prayers, that Is if he
does not treat her right. They never
think OF the future. They claim that
there are three heavens, the "Hlgh
Skies" "Foggy Heavens" and the
"Star Skies" and that there are six
worlds below this one.
I went to church one Sunday in
Yokohama accompanied by mission
ary, who had asked me to attend and
see how intelligent some OF the Jap
anese were and how they were learning
to worship the true God.
will always remember this day.
There were over two hundred japanese
in the church. The book OF Acts was
read, then a song was sung and at
prayer all of them joined the mission
aries in prayer for the Holy Spirit OF
God. Almost every missionary board
has established mission in Japan, but
there were not enough missionaries to
supply the demand. Towns that would
have welcomed them were left un-
taught. Then from some political
cause, there came popular feeling OF
opposition to everything foreign, but
the japanese christians generally re-
mained faithful.
The japanese are the kindest peo-
pie in the world. say this because l
have been with them and know it to
he true. G. T. CURRIE.
Old People.