Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1886 — The Two Religions of Japan. [ARTICLE]

The Two Religions of Japan.

Shintoism, a religion of nature, was for of years the only religion of the Japanese. Its temples, as seen in pictures, were but shinties covered with grass. They had no stone or w«pden idols. The mirror was an object of great reverence, because, I suppose, they could see themselves in it, and they thought as much of themselves as of anything else in the world. SuCh jiersons still live and are confined to no special country. They deified the forces of nature. Raiden, the god of thunder, lived in the clouds, and beat his string of drums. Fnten, the god of winds, is pictured with a large inflated bag on the back of his neck, both ends of which he firmly grasps. When he relaxes his graps, the wind escapes, and there is a storm; and when he tightens his hold, a calm follows.

The Seven Happy Gods in the pictures are interesting company. Fukoruku Jin, the god of long life, has a forehead so high that a barber to shave the top of his head must "climb up bn a ladder. It takes a good deal of brains to counteract diseases and keep people in health, so as to insure long life. Diakoku, the rice god, sits oil a throne, of rice bags and pets the ratj the very animal that destroys his riee; so like some men who’lbve the sins which wreck their fortunes and souls. Hotei, the god of contentment, is very fat, and so slovenly that he is always unfit for company—a proof that the Japanese had a low idea of happiness. Bishamon is the patron of fame and’ glory, and his pet animal is the tiger. Men tvho seek military fame and glory must cultivate a tiger-like ferocity. Ebisu is the patron of daily food, and spends much of his tilpe fishing, which he, like some terrestials, greatly enjoys. He is noted for his patience, , is proved by the fact that he canWaibl knee-deep in water for two hours waiting for a nibble. The only one of the seven who never lays aside his dignity is Toshitoku, the patron of talents. His pet animal is a spotted fawn, and he travels around a good deal for the purpose of rewarding boys anti girls who study their lessons. He knows that talent cannot afford to dispense with work. Among them is one woman, Betten by name. She is queen of the world under the sea, and lives in ocean caverns, and spends her time playing the flute and guitar. The snake, strange to say, is her pet animal, and the dragonsuare her servant!."" . / " ' 3“ 7

These seven jolly god's meet once a year to hold a feast and arrange the marriages for the coming year. They have a great many skeins of red and white silk, which are ’ the threads of fate of those who are to be married. The white threads are the men, the red the women. At first they select the threads very carefully, so that good matches are made. By and by they get tired and lazy, huddle up their work and jumble the threads together carelessly. This is the reason there are so many unhappy marriages. A - visit to some of our divorce courts would Convince a Japanese that these gods are a lazy, careless set in this climate.—Exchange.