Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-26
This saint had a career which is

This saint had career which Is
accepted by the japanese with child
like faith, but which is an interesting
legend to the unbeliever. While chas-
Ing a rainbow or a dream Shonin
came to the river, which barred his
passage, and which threatened to de-
stroy him. All he had to do, how
ever, was to pray, and supernatural
being of colossal size appeared and
promised aid. He acted upon 1t at
once and threw two snakes across the
river, and upon these there appeared
fairylike bridge structure. across
which Shonin walked in simple faith.
snakes and bridge disappearing i'm
mediately afterward. 1t was small
wonder therefore, that Shonin erect
ed shrine in his gratitude.
1t is not known by what process
this exact spot was marked. but the
Mihashi, or sacred red bridge, was
constructed over the snaky route over
which Shonin passed and was one Of
the great sights of japan. 1t was
erected in 1888, and could be used
only by the shoguns, except twice each
year, when pilgrims were permitted
to cross It. Later It was used by the
royalty.
The bridge. like the new one being
built, was lacquered red, and the old
er It grew the greater seemed to be
L.. h1o,,t,, Tha noogfor fnr Ia aonttar
work is one easily acquired. and the
red bridge was masters work. Its
beauty, like that OF Full. has been the
subject OF many rawlings by poets and
artists. 1t consisted of a single arch
span, whose lines were graceful in the
extreme. It's design was simple yet
artistic. and its color such as only the
art of the lacquer can produce.
Crossing the Daiya- Gawa by means
of steel bridge, the Chuzenji road
is reached. This follows the barran-
ca and leads past the summer home
Of the crown prince and his family.
AS at Toxic, feeling Of deep dis
appointment comes to the traveller
upon learning that the surroundings
of royalty In Japan are guarded so
zealously.
To an American who has been ac-
customed to tramp all over the White
House grounds and to wipe his shoes
on the front door mat Of the Amer
ican mikado's domain, a feeling of
-.-.-4-.n.t aox.o, r,hay, he oaaq fha
warlike garrison which keeps the
public away from anything royal In
Japan.
None Is permitted In the grounds
OF the princes summer residence, but
II he Is patient and hangs around the
road long enough he may be blessed
with sight of the prince as he takes
his daily horseback ride II he miss
es this he can go to the museum at
Toxic and stand at the front door and
gaze at the prince In plaster Of paris
as he sits astride Q plaster Of paris
horse.
Even greater care is taken to pre-
serve the sacred person Of the mikado
from the vulgar gaze, for frowning
cannons, huge moats, iron barred
gates and great walls inclose the im-
perial residence at Toxic. Like the
enemies of Jericho, the public may
ride about the walls seven or dozen
times and peep at the tops Of the
queer buildings, but that is all.
A description Of one of all the tenn
Piles at Nikko would be tedious and
prosaic, and besides It can be had in
the guidebooks. The majority Of the
temples have been restored" or re-
built but faithfully so. Before visit
ing any Of them It is necessary to
take off the shoes and leave them at
the door. Once inside. there is a
wealth of art and beauty to be seen.
and each room has its interesting his
tory. These temples are still used as
places OF worship and the Buddhist
and Shinto forms may be observed at
all times Of the day.
Often many, worn and tattered pill
grims from afar may be seen with
pTOSlTdtc upOh thc hihsNhS'
lille the priests lead them In worship.
intoning in drear monotony and
pounding of weird-sounding gong to
attract the attention Of the busy or In
attentive gods, Scattered about the
floor are the small coins Of the desti-
tute worshippers, who, perchance.
have come from afar to worship and
to give their gods the entire and mea-
gre savings OF year.
One Of the most beautiful pieces OF
work at Nikko is the Yomei-mon gate.
with its medallions of birds, Its panels
of water fowls, Its columns OF geo.
metrical patterns and its lifelike IT,
gers, the very markings of whose
hairs may be seen. The left hand pill
lar is equally well carved. but the fig-
ures are upside down. for the great
Shotgun, aware that he had accom-
plished a beautiful work, feared TO
arouse the jealousy Of heaven by Its
perfection and thus bring disaster to
his house. Hence the upside-down-
ness of the pillar.-Chicago Evening
Post