A glimpse of the isles of the Pacific (1907) (14803640253)

Identifier: glimpseofislesof00whee (find matches)
Title: A glimpse of the isles of the Pacific
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Wheeler, William Webb, 1845- (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: (St. Joseph, Mo., Hardman press)
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress



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fore. At this temple, there were nearly a dozen Japanesekneeling, paying their respects, and leaving a few coppercoins. This room was about forty feet long and twentyfeet wide; the walls were decorated with wood carving, andfloor covered with straw matting. At one end was a smallwaiting room, where the Mikado rests when he comes tothe temple. There was a similar room behind the firstwhere we were not permitted to go. Our guide told usthere were three images, or idols in this room; we saw noimages or idols in any of the temples. There are twobuildings near this temple, same style of architecture andappearance as .the temple, which are used by people whocare for the grounds and temple, as their living rooms, andanother small building, same style, where a Japanese womandances the sacred dance if one gives her a small coin.The dance consisted of a slow and graceful movementof the arms and body, and the tinkling of a small babyrattle with one hand, and waving a fan with the other—not 183
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TEA HOUSE, TOKYO. much of a dance and not worth the money. Anothertemple was visited, but was similar to the Shinto Templejust described. All these temples are gaudily painted in red and goldlacquer. This painting stands the weather extraordinarilywell; while they are repainted every two years, they lookas fresh now as if the paint was applied yesterday. Suchbright colors make them a dazzling show when one firstbeholds them. Also the sacred Red Bridge which spansDiaya-gawa River at Nikko is painted in the same dazzlingcolors; this sacred bridge is closed to the public excepttwice a year, when pilgrims to the temples are allowed tocross it. About one hundred feet down stream is thetemporary bridge, which common people use every day—a very good bridge, too, but does not shine with paint likethe red and gold-lacquered sacred bridge. The town of Nikko is very prettily situated in themountains, two thousand feet above sea level. The air isfresh and invigorating; there are many country ho