The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21
SlZZZ %SEKZ4ZZ


The visit will be made in February.
er or not that process may succeed they
seek answer by another test, tossing peb-
bles to the shelving tops of the stone lam
terms within the tori approach or into the
lantern openings. The pebbles will not fall
back to the ground if the gods are propi-
tious. Shinto prayers are always for ma
terial blessings. That faith recognizes no
moral or spiritual needs for its followers.
who are supposed to obey the dictates of
their own hearts and can require no higher
guidance. japanese humanity in the Shinto
view is perfect, and will remain so with
out such outward props as must come to
the support of the aliens. who wallow In
depravity and who must require forever
the assistance of sages and reformers.
Shinto temples, like the faith, are char
acterized by the utmost simplicity, the uni
form tori and the lanterns of unvarying
pattern, the relentless dog guardians and
the matched roof shelter for the mirror of
the sun goddess constituting equipment
that may be defined as severely classic.
characterization is reserved for the Buddhist
places, where not only do the sacred prop
critics lend themselves to picturesque ad-
justment and ceremonial may become or
nate and elaborate with imagery. but where
also even the approaches and surroundings
appeal to sensual nature. In the Buddhist
grounds, which we next visited, were two
ponds outlying the temple Enclosure. In
one of them disported fish with foliated,
filmy tails that trailed through the water
like outspread fans of gauze and gold, and
another was the home of turtle colony,
part Of which crowded up toward the bank
to be fed with popped beans by passers,
while hundreds lay summing on an island of
rock and bamboo poles in the center.
THE PUGILISTIC MOS.
Thanking the gateway of the Enclosure
were cages holding, but scarcely combining,
the two Mos, the good demons whose Office
it is to brighten away the bad demons that
are always trying to enter holy places.
The Mos are giants in stature and ter
rife of aspect. AS If trained for fearful
encounters, no superfiucus flesh burdens
their huge frames The everything muscles
strap their breasts like ribs; their feet,
planted firmly apart, and their sinewy
calves betokep a purchase on the ground
that only supernatural strength can dis
lodge. Corded punches trace the power in
their arms, one raised to strike, the other
invincible for defense There is wild joy
in their countenances, eager-almost pant
ing-for conflict. and rejecting in every line
strenuous life: and their firm crowns.
perched square upon the center of their
skulls, seem at the same time assertion
of power and a badge of defiance.
Signs abounded of the alteration in which
the Mos are held. To the bars and pillars
~ h,,ar e<voxx AL
some of them large enough for the pom
derous feet of the figures within, and de-
creasing through every size to that for
babies. They had been put there with in
vocations for fieetness. strength Of limb.
and for power to walk, showing that from
age to infancy no class had omitted to ask
favor of these protectors. The figures we
saw had been blotched and spattered with
marks not in the original design. These
marks were of paper wads. with strength
prayers written on them, which worshipers
| had rolled in their mouths until fit to stick
| to anything, and had hurled them, ball
| form, at the Mos, where they had chung
even after drying out. Strength. Of course.
| rewards those whose pellets reach the
| mark.
We had the main temple to ourselves,
| almost as If the show of vaulted roof and
| images. of turreted altar shining with gold
| lacquer, of great bronze lamps and gilded
lotus leaves and flowers, had been laid out
| that morning to feast our eyes The few
priests sitting here and there on the mat
| ted floor within the fencing that imposed
| distance upon inspection by the meddel-
/ some, paid as little attention to us as to
| each other, and the kimonoed visitors in
the section where those not of the temple
may go moved about so silently, shoeless,
| like ourselves, and were so often lost in
| the dim spaces. that Il some one had said
| they were shadows might have been
! half credulous. Roaming to the rear Of the
| structure and out upon long portico on
| that side, We came TO wing OF the build
| ing not noticeable from the 'front.' but
quite half large the main temple. in
which service was in progress. We were
appraised of it by the murmur of responses
recurring like the fall of gentle waves
Presently we came upon the congregation
seated native fashion and swaying their
There were several hundred of them. the
majority women. AS We approached the
responsive portion of the service ended
| and from the further end of the wing a
shaven priest. in flowing robe of drat
and yellow, advanced toward the altar. The
guide recognized him. and said that We
might hear one of the best temple preachers
IL we wished to know what sort OF sermons
the common people heard. We got dowr
on the floor with the congregation. and Il
the words as they came brought no mean
ing to US We could perceive that the hold
] OF the preacher on his hearers came from