THE ERUPTION OF EAXDAT-SAN. 



101 



The Koden ("é"^, Old Tradition) says: ''This mountain vomited 

 fire; and sulphur was spread over the country for 10 ri around, its 

 vapour being injurious to health. After Lake Inawashiro was form- 

 ed, the fire ceased and the vapour was dispersed." 



The TdgoJcu Ryolcddan (^ |U M tT M > Travelling Tales in Eastern 

 Provinces) says : 

 " To the east of 

 Lake Inawashiro 

 there stands a steep 

 peak called Bandai- 

 san ; from its high 

 summit ascend blaz- 

 ing fire and smoke, 

 as if to burn the firmament." This account is followed by an 

 illustrative sketch, as in the accompanying wood-cut, of the volcano 

 belching forth fire and smoke. 



In the Ou Benranshi (J| $3 Ht H i*>, Handbook on Ou Provinces) 

 the following account is given: " Aizu-yama, commonly called Eandai- 

 san, lies to the east of Lake Inawashiro ; from its top ascends burn- 

 ing 1 smoke." 



It sounds strange to hear of flame and fire : but we ouo'ht not 

 to put much confidence in the tales of travellers, which are too often 

 exaggerated and grossly inaccurate. Though the phenomena caused 

 by streams of molten lava in volcanic eruptions are commonly spoken 

 of as presenting the appearance of flames and fire, we do not find in 

 Bandai-san any indication of lava-flows that can have taken place 

 within historical times. It may be added, however, that there are 

 cases on record in which flames caused by the combustion of gases 

 have been a feature of volcanic outbursts. 



The Shinpen Aizu Füdoki ($f H # t$- M ± IE, Accounts of Aizu) 



