. Things seen in Japan . day the priests come,and the body is placed in a huge vase withfragrant flowers and leaves packed in closely 247 The Future of Japan around it, which next day is usually placedin a white box, and covered with a whitecloth. Then it is borne away by white-robed attendants from the temple. Walk-ing in advance of the jar are often anumber of singers, also attired in white,carrying bells. And thus in procession, withthe mourners following, the body is taken tothe temple. The vase is then placed uponthe altar, whilst the priests chant a guest during the chanting
. Things seen in Japan . day the priests come,and the body is placed in a huge vase withfragrant flowers and leaves packed in closely 247 The Future of Japan around it, which next day is usually placedin a white box, and covered with a whitecloth. Then it is borne away by white-robed attendants from the temple. Walk-ing in advance of the jar are often anumber of singers, also attired in white,carrying bells. And thus in procession, withthe mourners following, the body is taken tothe temple. The vase is then placed uponthe altar, whilst the priests chant a guest during the chanting advances inturn, and, after bowing to the priests, kneelsbefore the bier, and taking a pinch ofincense from a bowl drops it on to the fireof a charcoal brazier. Then, after anotherprostration, the guest returns to his placeamongst the other mourners. Then thevase is removed to the crematorium, andafter the body has been removed from it,and has been carefully and reverentlywrapped in white, it is slid by the priests 248. WATCHING AN KIUPTION OK TllK ASO-SAN VI.(AN(I. This volcano is the largest in the wuild, the old crater nicasurinj; 14 milesin diameter. Notice the steam ri>inK in scalding clouds. The reddish mud wTiirVi rnmpi; fmm rTic v ilrnnn is n rliciiTTintic riirp. The Future of Japan into the furnace, and its reduction to ashescan be watched by the relatives. Whilst the body is being consumed, theguests feast, and drink sake and talk of thevirtues of the dead, and if the cremation isspeedy and thorough it is esteemed a matterfor congratulation. A gruesome sort of festival, it must beadmitted, but comprehensible when oneremembers that for the Japanese there isneither hope nor fear of a future existence,only a philosophic acceptance of death as anatural end to life. Of the future of this fascinating land,in which the medieval spirit, mvths, andextraordinary customs seem inextricablymixed with the most modern ideas of war-fare and commerce, who can speak withcertainty ?
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidthingsseenin, bookyear1911
