Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1919 — Rope of Human Hair. [ARTICLE]

Rope of Human Hair.

In Japan, when a Buddhist temple is to be built no profane materials must be used. Everything employed In its construction must be sanctified In one way or another. Even the ropes for the hoisting machinery must not be of hemp or other such ordinary stuff. They must be of human hair. Thus when the foundation has been laid thousands of worshipers of all sexes and ages form In line, and, passing In single file past the priests who officiate as clippers, subject their heads to be shorn. Women, as well as men and children, willingly surrender their locks to the shearers —a small army of them, Indeed, for thousands of feet of rope may be needed. When the rope has fulfilled Its architectural function, it is stored and kept in the temple as a sacred relic — a Buddhist shrine being always combined with a sort of religious museum.