334 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.59. 



emblems of royalty in Japan. Height, 30 inches by 15 inches square. 

 Japan. (Plate 76, Cat. No. 154965, U.S.N.M.) 



243-245. The Temple Hongwanji and Jiair rope. — The great Hong- 

 wanji temple of the "True Sect" (Shin shu), at Kioto, Japan, was 

 completed in 1895. Its dimensions are those of a western catnedral. 

 Ninety-six massive pillars support the roof at a height of 126 feet. 

 The timbers were all dragged from the mountain and lifted into their 

 places by 29 immense ropes made of human hair, the voluntary 

 offerings of innumerable women, which are still preserved within the 

 precincts. Tokio, Japan. (Plate 77, fig. 1, plan of the temple 

 Hongwanji; fig. 3, section of a hair rope, measuring 32 inches in 

 length and 4h inches in diameter, used in the erection of the temple; 

 fig. 2, photograph of the ropes made of human hair. Cat. Nos. 

 150829-150831, U.S.N.M.) Gift of V. Marshall Law. 



246, 247. Pair of Nios. — Models of wood, painted and decorated. 

 The Nios or Niokongas ("the two bold golden kings") are usually 

 placed on both sides of the lofty portal to a Buddhist temple in 

 Japan as gatekeepers or guardians. They are the Hindu gods 

 Brahma and Indra. They are represented naked, close-set, athletic 

 figures, 10 or 12 feet high, with eyes and features distorted, painted 

 vermilion red, wrestling against the powers of evil. Height, 16* 

 inches. Japan. (Plate 78, Cat. No. 166079, U.S.N.M.) 



248, 249. Pair of Nios. — Models of wood, black lacquered. Height, 

 14 inches. Japan. (Cat. No. 130457, U.S.N.M.) 



250. Buddhist temple. — Model of wood (in parts), red painted. 

 Miniature copy of a Laos Buddhist temple, carved and set up by a 

 priest, with the carvings, placement of the timbers, and the several 

 parts of it, as the throne for the image of Buddha, the pulpit from 

 which the scriptures are read, the Nagas on each side of the entrance, 

 representing in every detail a copy of a Buddhist temple in Laos. 

 Laos, Further India* (Cat. No. 217670, U.S.N.M.) 



251, 252. Temple lanterns. — The lids of these two lanterns are of 

 lacquered wood. The upper lid of each is provided with a bronze 

 handle representing a dragon; the lower lid with bronze cocks. The 

 lids have openings to admit a candle, for which an iron spike is pro- 

 vided on the bottom of the lower lid, upon which the candle is stuck. 

 By raising the upper lid, the painted paper cylinder, which emits the 

 light, is unfolded. The lanterns can either be hung up by the handles 

 or suspended on poles which are passed through holes in both lids 

 provided for that purpose. Height, 12$ inches; diameter, 13f 

 inches. Japan. (Plate 79 shows the lanterns opened; plate 80, 

 fig. 1, exhibits the top; fig. 2 the bottom. Cat. No. 154967, U.S.N.M. 



253. Temple lantern. — Copper. Hexagonal, with dome-shaped top 

 in open work. Richly enameled in various colors and decorated 

 with a profusion of floral designs. Height, 21 inches; diameter, 10 

 inches. Korea. (Cat. No. 154983, U.S.N.M.) 



