Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-01-10
Dr. Edward, Visits Celebrated rsnD.

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the trip yesterday to-see the festival
of Ieyasn, which occurs here once a
yeal, and which | was told should be
seen at any sacrafce. Nike is known
as the city of temples, and is full Of
interest. But the most interesting part
oft was the trip by rail through a
fertile section of Japan. This is a land
of small things. Not an inch of ground
runs to waste, and not a weed is to be
seen on any Of the patches which, by
courtesy, | call farms. The farms are
of all sizes from patch twenty feet
square to an acre or more in extent,
and instead of fences between they
ale separated by bitches in which tine
lotus is grown for food. Not only are
the farms small but also the people,
the animals, houses, gardens, carriag.
es and all articles used in daily life
are ridiculously small Grape vines
rest on horizontal frames and even
pear trees are trained on treliSSeS.
Nike Lies in a lovely valley two
thousand feet above the ocean on the
Nike San mountains, and is the site
Of the most gorgeous temple in the
land. This spot attained its greatest
sanctity in 1917, when it became the
resting place of IoYasu who was indent
flied by the Mikado as Light Of the
East. Great Incarnation of Buddha."
When he died be was buried here
and he was given the most gorgeous
Japanese burial. A vast number of
priests in gorgeous robes, the Imper-
ial envoy, the living Shotgun, and a
long train of nobleman with two
sword retainers followed the remains
of the dead warrior up the long and
beautiful avenue to the mausoleum
on the lonely hillside. where they
were deposited with all the impress
iveness Of Buddhist ritual.
At the summit is the temple to
which gained access through cour.
tesy of officials, and provided with
queer slips Of paper as passports. A
FIVE stored pagoda rises gracefully,
tier on tier, with lessening stories to
the height Of lO4 feet. The caves Of
the lower story are decorated with
painted carvings of the twelve signs
of the zodiac: rat, OK, tiger, haze, drag
on, serpent, horse, goat, ape, cock,
dog and pig. We walked on rough
rows of lanterns to the entrance ofthe
grounds and passed through the
"Gate Of Two Kings" which still re.
tains its name although the original
figures of the kings have been replac-
ed by images Of hideous monsters,
supposed to have power through
their ugliness to scare away the de.
mons. In; the court yard stand three
large buildings with handsome tiled
roofs. Under the caves of the largest
are painted carvings Of elephants re-
presented with hind legs turned the
wrong way. Arranged about the court
are 11S magnificent bronze lanterns
with massive stone bases which are
lighted on festive occasions.
The stable in VIII ich the sacred
white pony is kept for use Of the god
} is decorated with life-like carvings of
monkeys, covering their eyes, ears
and mouths with their hands. Stone
slabs with the "blind monkey" the
"deaf monkey" and tn e "dumb mon
Key" are to be noticed by the road
, side in the rural districts throughout
Japan, the idea being that this unique
trinity neither sees, hears nor speak:
evil, pretty feature in the court O.
the temple is the constant tinkling o.
the wind bells hung all over the door.
ways, these bells serve to keep de
mons away. In the center Of the cour
is the sacred enclosure Of Holy o
Holes. which is entered by the Kar
anon gate. 1t is a magnificent struct