Japan and the Japanese

818 JAPAN. A. D. 1C90 1692.
shoulders, or else upon the palms of their hands, holding it above
their heads. Whilst they hold it up with one arm, they stretchout
the other, putting the hand into a horizontal posture, whereby, and
by their short, deliberate steps and stiff knees, they affect a ridiculous
fear and circumspection. If the prince steps out of his nori-
inon into one of the green huts which are purposely built for him
at convenient distances on the road, or if he goes into a private
house, either to drink a dish of tea or for any other purpose, he
always leaves a kobang with the landlord as a reward for his
trouble. At dinner or supper the expense is much greater.
" All the pilgrims who go to Isje, whatever province of the
empire they come from, must travel over part of this great road.
This pilgrimage is made at all times of the year, but particularly in
the spring, at which season vast multitudes of these pilgrims are
seen upon the roads. The Japanese of both sexes, young and old,
rich and poor, undertake this meritorious journey, generally speak-
ing, on foot, in order to obtain, at this holy place, indulgences
and remission of their sins. Some of these pilgrims are so poor,
that they must live wholly upon what they get by begging. On
this account, and by reason of their great number, they are exceedingly
troublesome to the princes and lords, who at that time of the
year go to court, or come thence, though otherwise they address
themselves in a very civil manner, bareheaded, and with a low, sub-
missive voice, saying, ' Great Lord, be pleased to give the poor
pilgrim a seni, towards the expense of his journey to Isje,' or words
to that effect. Of all the Japanese, the inhabitants of Jedo and
the province Osju are the most inclined to this pilgrimage. Chil-
dren, if apprehensive of severe punishment for their misdemeanors,
will run away from their parents and go to Isje, thence to fetch an
Ofarri, or indulgence, which upon
their return is deemed a suf-
ficient expiation of their crimes, and a sure means to reconcile
them to their friends. Multitudes of these pilgrims arc obliged
to pass whole nights, lying in the open fields, exposed
to all
the injuries of wind and weather, some for want of room in inns,
others out of poverty ; and of these last many are found dead upon
the road, in which case their Ofarri, if they have any about them,
is carefully taken up and hid in the next tree or bush.
" Others make this pilgrimage in a comical and merry way, draw-