New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-24
Mrs Van Rensselaer, at Party for Mrs Wyeth Her Niece
Discaras Dinner and Dance for Pastime OF
Divnation with Kodama as Seer

I feet" sections OF New York's 400 IL
may be said that Kodama is asserted
TO have foretold the coming Of the
European war, and the ending of il by
Intervention in May. after great
naval engagement between Germany
and England in which the latter will
be victorious; surprises for Germany
at the effectiveness of English troops
which will be put in the field early in
the year, and no serious outcome of
existing relations between this coun-
try and Japan. In his own country
the Honorable Kodama is said to rank
high as a soothsayer.
"This affair is solely for the purpose
of mind development" said Mrs. Van
Rensselaer,. 81 have ben student Of
prophctical theories for a number Of
years and have written a book on the
subject. once read one of the five
classics by Yen King on diyination. It
was written 800 years ago and is to-
day studier b. the Chinese.
Those who have been invited will
have an opportunity TO study the DIFF
ference between the prophecies of the
Bible and those of the Japanese
prophet. There is much, no doubt, that
can be learned from Professor ko-
DANA
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, refused to make
known the full list Of her guests. but
gave assurances that among those pres
cnt were persons as prominent socially
as they we're in the world Of learning.
Indeed. she said. some of the mcn pres
emf could easily dispense with the ser
vices Of X. Ogomori, the japanese IN
terprcter who accompanied kodama.
After more than hundred guests
bad taken their seats IN the parIof'
Kodama, attired in ceremonial loose
fitting black silk gown and embroidered
can. white socks and sandals, was ush-
cred in. He has a Buddha-like race,
with scraggy beard under the Jaw ana
tapering to point at the chm. seated
AT table with a japanese screen as
background. he gave his demonstration
Of the art of divinatiOn, termed by the
japanese aki gaku.
and a wooden cylinder, he explained
how force controls his prophecies.
When he ended his discourse OF about
half an hour. more than an hour was
taken IN By a heckling on the part o.
tho hostess and guests, who included
many skeptles.
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, is & keen OBJ
server and student. Besides being an
author OF the subject she Is collector
of everything pertaining 10 prophecies
and diviuatiOn. In her collection she
has prophetic cards and Chinese ana
Iapanese If iei chi sticks, similar 10
nose used bv Kodama. she also has q
,et of divining sticks from Alaska
which are hundreds Of years old.
Nanv Of these she displayed last
night I'm a room adjoining that ~ whlcn
the Japanese soothsayer was received.
Kodana expressed surprise az her pos
session Of these. and showed Keen IN
terest in how she obtained them. In
addition 70 cards Of this description
sbe has a rare collection of playing
and fortune telling cards.
Before going 10 Mrs. Van kensse-
lser', home Kodama said he would be
ready. if requested. TO predict anything
which might be askwed OF him.
Kodama told his audience tnat cINHt-
cation in America j. wonueTIul ana thal
the japanese are trying 90 learn II. ~
Jspan the spirit side is more earnestly
and zealousiy pursued, he said. and de-
clared his belief that this must be 80
also IN America.
The function last night. which was
announced as a scientific salon was
given by Mrs. Van Rensselaer, Tor ner
niece. Mrs. Wyeth ASSISTING her ~ re-
ceiving were Miss Nary Elizabeth Wad-
siurton. Mrs. Cornelia Van Rensselaer,
Delafeld. Mrs Frank Porter, MISS
sylvia Van Rensselaer, and Miss Caro-
line Duer. Among those present were
Mrs. Leo Everett. Mrs. Sidney Mckay
ard Mrs Jultau Coffin