The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1906-05-10

| L,
for they feel that the moment you be-
gin to talk or even think of its odor,
all beauty and significance are de-
stroyed, and it becomes vulgarized.
The mobiles of old Japan, however,
had game which consisted in guess
ing the name of the perfume which
was being burnt, with the usual for
feits, etc., and their sense of smell
became highly acute in detecting the
numerous combinations of odoriferous
substances combined in the burning
| incense.
These koro's, also played an impor-
tant part in the tea-ceremonies, which
in old9n times were far more impress
sive and significant then they are to
day.
In nothing are the Japanese as we'll
as the Chinese, more ceremonious then
In serving the tea. One of the first
things little girl learns is how to
carry tray, and how to present it
gracefully; while the dainty handing
OF cup to aguest is the greatest inn
portance imaginable. A gentleman
can always tell the character ola girl
and the class to which she belongs by
the way she offers him cup. So in
the tea-ceremonies the most important
part is the preparing and serving of
the tea.
A little piece of charcoal is placed in
the bottom of the koro and lighted; the
perfume is then sprinkled on it, that
the smell of the burning charcoal, in
the "bibachi'', or stove, may be
obliterated.
The incense burner varies considera-
BILE in design. Those in front of the
temples are often very large. They
are there placed between the bronze
candle stick, usually stork standin G
on tortoise, and vase. It is also
to be found in all the homes of the
Japanese, usually in the "tokonoma'
or guest chamber, or on the raised plat
forms in the living rooms, where it is
to be found with its accompanying vase
of flowers, and figures of the seven
household gods. 1t also plays an i'm.
portant part in the wedding cerem onies
as we'll as in nearly all the fetes and
religious services. In the bridal
ceremonies it is usually in the shape OIL
stork standing on tortoise signify.
ing long life and happiness.
Outside of many OF tn e temples
merchants sell packages OF tiny rings
of perfumed paste to bu IN in honor Of
their Gods. Each one of the faithful
throws his scented ring into the koro
and watches t he tiny ring send up its
threads of blue smoke, and as il
springs from the holes in the korc
they read their an swers to their prayers
as it quivers and unfolds in diaphan.
Gus shapes, and as it mounts to the
ceiling, when the. koros are inside Of
the tombs it mingles and makes more
grotesque the many singular objects
suspended from the tops of the tomb
In the temple of Asakusa, dedicated
to the Japanese Madonna of Mercy
these hangings are splendid fringes
of silk in all the gorgeous dies of the
East. Fantastic beasts embroidered
on banners with shining scales o.
gold; lanterns of all forms; streamers
ornamented with beads and tassels Of
gold and silver; and many other gilt
tering and dazzling decorations.
In other tombs or temples, gigantic
dragons, monstrous boas and serpents
astonishing caterpillars, suspended
from the ceiling, turn and twist and
sway amidst the ascending fumes Of
the incense from the sacred koro.
Among the collection of bronzes in
the National Museum there are 8
number of interesting koros.
One of three cranes standing on q
rock, is a very graceful design. Only
the tallest bird is fitted for burning in
cense. Its wing covers from the LID
of the koro and hole in it allows the
smoke to escape. A dove on branch
of tree extending over a small run
ming stream, is very pleasing design
The body of the dove forms the koro
its wings form the lid, and the per-
forations under the two raised feathers
permit of the escape of the smoke Of
the incense.
A rather unique one is designed like
a boat house, and is suspended by
silk cords from three ringed staples
This forms swing censor.
Another design depicts one OF the
seven household gods seated on a stag
on his errand of mercy. He looks
very dignifed, and when seen through
the smoke of the incense is no doubt
very impressive. The body OF the
stag forms the koro, and the figure the
lid or cover, and an opening in the
back allows the smoke to escape.
There are several bowl-shaped koros.
such as are most often used before OF
in the temples, with the Shishi 1.-THE