Japan and the Japanese

822 JAPAN. A. D. 1G90 1C92.
as would make one almost mad or deaf. These mountain priests
are frequently applied to by superstitious people, for conjuring, for-
tune-telling, foretelling future events, recovering lost goods, and the
like purposes. They profess themselves to be of the Kami religion,
as established of old, and yet they are never suffered to attend, or
to take care of, any of the Kami temples.
" There are many more beggars travellers meet with along the
roads. Some of these are old, and, in all appearance, honest men,
who, the better to prevail upon people to part with their
charity,
are shaved and clad after the fashion of the Budsdo priests. Some-
times there are two of them standing together, each with a small,
oblong book before him. This book contains part of their Fokekio,
or Bible, printed in the significant or learned language.* However,
I would not have the reader think, as if they themselves had any
understanding in that language, or know how to read the book
placed before them. They only learn some part of it by heart, and
speak it aloud, looking towards the book, as if they did actu-
ally read in it, and expecting something from their hearers, as a
reward for their trouble.
" Others are found sitting near some river, or running water,
making a Sieyaki,
a certain ceremony for the relief of departed
souls. This Siegaki is made after the following manner : They
take a green branch of the Fauna Skimmi tree, and, murmuring
certain words with a low voice, wash arid scour it with some shav-
ings of wood, whereon they had written the names of some deceased
persons. This they believe to contribute greatly to relieve and
refresh the departed souls confined in purgatory ; and, for aught I
know, it may answer that purpose full as well as any number
of masses, as they arc celebrated to the same end in Roman
Qatholic countries. Any person that hath a mind to purchase the
benefit of this washing, for himself or his relations and friends,
throws a seni upon the mat, which is spread out near the beggar,
who docs not so much as offer to return him any manner of
thanks for it, thinking his art and devotion deserve still better;
Besides that, it is not customary amongst beggars of note to
thank people for their charity. Any one who hath learned the
* This is the Sanscrit.