. Old and new Japan . way in all theworld — the Yomei-mon, a double gateway of cream-white lacquer, supported by four pillars of carved of these, known as mayoke no hashira (evil-avertingpillar), was erected upside down by the builders, in quaintsuperstitious awe lest the absolute perfection of the gateand temple should make the gods in heaven jealous, andthus cause them to pour down wrath upon the house ofTokugawa. The carving of this wonderful gatewaycannot be described in detail. It would require almosta little volume to itself. On the pillars appear representa-tions of tigers and
. Old and new Japan . way in all theworld — the Yomei-mon, a double gateway of cream-white lacquer, supported by four pillars of carved of these, known as mayoke no hashira (evil-avertingpillar), was erected upside down by the builders, in quaintsuperstitious awe lest the absolute perfection of the gateand temple should make the gods in heaven jealous, andthus cause them to pour down wrath upon the house ofTokugawa. The carving of this wonderful gatewaycannot be described in detail. It would require almosta little volume to itself. On the pillars appear representa-tions of tigers and cubs, with the grain of the wood in-geniously applied to form the markings ; arabesques ; andmore or less conventional designs ; and in the side nichesare patterns of graceful adaptations of the tree , children at their game of Karako-asobi, Chinesesages, Rishi, all play their part in the bewildering de-signs which make the Yomei-mon not only unique butmagnificent. And above all the carving and elegance. UP THE GREY, LICHEN-STAINED STEPS TO THETEMPLE <;ATE. TEMPLES AND ANCIENT SHRINES 49 is the demon-crowned roof supported by gilded dragonsheads. In this marvellous gateway one has the riotous pro-fusion of carving and design which distinguishes theornamentation of many of the Japanese temples ; growing,glowing flowers ; sculptured birds and beasts ; hanging,tinkling lotus bells ; and yet a perfect whole of mysteriousand elusive beauty. The temple, with its torii, its court-yards, its flights of steps, its wonderful balustradings, itsshrines, its gateways, its crimson fence with thousands ofcarvings, was, after all, only the work of forty years fromfirst stone to last pinnacle. And yet the carving in theYomei-mon alone might well have been the life-work ofmany artists. Beyond the great white gate is the beautiful buildingin which are housed the three mekoski, or sacred cars orpalanquins, which are borne in procession on the ist ofJune in each year, when the dei
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidoldnewja, booksubjectjapan
