Thetimbersandsupportsaresolidandofgreatsize，but，incommonwithallJapanesetemples，whetherBuddhistorShinto，theedificeisentirelyofwood。Abroadflightofnarrow，steep，brass-boundstepsleaduptotheporch，whichisformedbyanumberofcircularpillarssupportingaveryloftyroof，fromwhichpaperlanternstenfeetlongarehanging。Agalleryrunsfromthisroundthetemple，undercoveroftheeaves。Thereisanoutertemple，unmatted，andaninneronebehindagrating，intowhichthosewhochoosetopayfortheprivilegeofprayingincomparativeprivacy，orofhavingprayerssaidforthembythepriests，canpass。

　　Intheoutertemplethenoise，confusion，andperpetualmotion，arebewildering。Crowdsonclatteringclogspassinandout；pigeons，ofwhichhundredsliveintheporch，flyoveryourhead，andthewhirringoftheirwingsmingleswiththetinklingofbells，thebeatingofdrumsandgongs，thehigh-pitcheddroneofthepriests，thelowmurmurofprayers，theripplinglaughterofgirls，theharshvoicesofmen，andthegeneralbuzzofamultitude。Thereisverymuchthatishighlygrotesqueatfirstsight。Mensquatonthefloorsellingamulets，rosaries，printedprayers，incensesticks，andotherwares。Exvotosofallkindshangonthewallandonthegreatroundpillars。ManyofthesearerudeJapanesepictures。Thesubjectofoneistheblowing-upofasteamerintheSumidagawawiththelossof100lives，whenthedonorwassavedbythegraceofKwan-non。Numbersofmemorialsarefrompeoplewhoofferedupprayershere，andhavebeenrestoredtohealthorwealth。Othersarefromjunkmenwhoseliveshavebeeninperil。

　　Therearescoresofmen’squeuesandafewdustybraidsofwomen’shairofferedonaccountofvowsorprayers，usuallyforsickrelatives，andamongthemall，onthelefthand，arealargemirrorinagaudilygiltframeandaframedpictureoftheP。M。S。China！

　　Abovethisincongruouscollectionaresplendidwoodcarvingsandfrescoesofangels，amongwhichthepigeonsfindahomefreefrommolestation。

　　Neartheentrancethereisasuperbincense-burnerinthemostmassivestyleoftheolderbronzes，withamythicalbeastrampantuponit，andinhighreliefroundittheJapanesesignsofthezodiac——therat，ox，tiger，rabbit，dragon，serpent，horse，goat，monkey，cock，dog，andhog。Cloudsofincenserisecontinuallyfromtheperforationsroundtheedge，andablack-toothedwomanwhokeepsitburningisperpetuallyreceivingsmallcoinsfromtheworshippers，whothenpassontothefrontofthealtartopray。

......

购买会员看全站小说，或者下载APP免费观看所有作品 点击立即下载，搜索"Unbeaten Tracks in Japan",免费读到尾