The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-05-19
HE FIRE-WALKERS OF JAPAN
syw Among the Frhsa People" Sc
The:


When you go to Tokyo and spare pay
few bts rcksha" boy and pronounce the magic name
Watara you of that ncredulous disposition which
laughs soaed Eastern mysticism you will doubtless
away as many before you with impression
sufficient last through ordinary lifetime and ready to believe
that the made of green cheese anything else known to
earh sky, of these smart little Japs would have you
believe of M walking, and that IS
actually what takes PLACES mahama convention spritalstc
performance embodied thrilling
inspiring, hair raising function.
away convinced that you have been witness
spectacle which makes dbeeve the evidence OF your own eyes
your Judgment then you
stone the b whatever the degree OF
your belief
little shnto shrine Kanda of the poorest districts in
Tokyo every sha" boy street ounger, but which
you would impossible yourself this curious function
Formerly only performed every spring and fall
recently the known only the japanese
nt alert oobe rte and foreign visitors in the quaint japanese
metropolis the search for novelty ferreted out and
with the gratuties nquisitve foreigners they have what
might be called a continuous performance
EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD
In year knowledge of this curious spectacle of
Der foreigners who mostly ncreduous beforehand have departed
completely myifed. And if you wish to do" Tokyo completely
visit the temple of tn fire walking Shntois
for it is the eighth wonder of the world 4
prepare for the ordeal The
itself usually takes place between five and O'Clock the
by the priests prayers unveiled altar
the inner sanctuary of the little temple during
nvoaons no visitors precincts We
had been enlightened japanese timed
accordingly and in the cool afternoon threaded
through the mpon by lanes and alleys of Tokyo to the secluded
and solemn gloom of the temple gardens.
knowledge that iW aaa take place had drawn
crowds of the courtyard and adjacent Streets the flying
the beating drums giving audible evidence if other
lacking that matsur or festival was soon to begin small dou
satisfied the gan gaekeepe and following his shutting
footsteps ushered into the main temple where the
curious ceremony to take place
CHANGING THEIR ROBES
filed before the
apartments change their beau
meantime coolies had been set to work IN the court yard ignite
great bed of charcoal which had already been laid The dmen
of this bed about twelve feet by four feet and perhaps
foot deep On the top quantity OF straw and kndn Wood
which lighted and burst blaze The charcoal
became and thoroughly gnited until the whole
like demonaca
As of
ougy bottom small striking the temple
notice that the wonderful spectacle of Waaa about
% begin
of priests out prayers intermnable
engh tiny shrine in the of the enclosure, and turned their
attention the fire. Taking long fans and poles from the coolies
hey pokd and encouraged the blaze until could plainly be
hat the coal ignted throughout
The whole bed glowing and the heat which from
intense that found 1t uncomfortable fifteen feet
from without faces with fans Then they began
pound down ody along the midde far possible
inequalities in the surface beaten down. and Goals which
ruded brushed aside
long began during
which time the priests mnbled forth numerous PRAYERS of nonae
enet to their god to cast out the ou of the fire. and thus
his power them This little time
the head priest addressed the closely packed group of
and invited those who wished make the god
,rng forward their gifts to be laid on the altar.
He retired for short time into inner temple in order
himself for this important meanwhile the native
pectators PROSTATE ground until he
eappeaed The altar upon which the gift offerings be laid
occupied conspicuous part the temple sight of ALL reached by
flight OF steps narrow that only the very edge OF the toes could rest
IN the lodges in making the II
The head priest took his position before the altar while the
remained the foot of the stairway and received
he gifts of the wohlppe they brought forward and passed