998 CONGKESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



No. 110 is a Japanese god upon a fish, representing the first introduction of letters 

 to Japan. (Corea, the Hermit Nation, pp. 20,51.) 

 No. Ill is a Japanese god upon a reindeer, in repose. 



Nos. 112 and 113. A pair of richly (carved vases, 36 inches in height. They are 

 the work of centuries back. 



Nos. 114 and 115. A pair of bronze vases of the famous Zogan style of workman- 

 ship; inlaid with gold and silver; 26 inches in height. 



No. 116. Jiariya ( Young Thunder).— A poor but brave and ambitious boy, expert 

 swordsman, and ambitious to restore the shattered fortunes of his family, became 

 chief of a band of rol>}>ers, who plundered many wealthy merchants, and in a short 

 time in this way had actannulated much wealth. Jiariya, hearing of an old man 

 that lived in a mountainous region, started out to rob him. Overtaken in a heavy 

 storm, he took refuge in an humble house. Entering he found a very beautiful 

 woman, who treated him with kindness. At midnight, when all was still, he 

 unsheathed his sword, and, going noiselessly to her room, was about to strike off her 

 head, when in a flash her body changed into a very old man, who seized the heavy 

 steel blade and broke it in pieces as though it was a stick. Jiariya was amazed, but 

 not frightened. "I am Senso Dojin," exclaimed the old man, "and have lived in 

 these mountains many hundred years; but my body is a frog. I can easily put you 

 to death, but 1 have another purpose." Jiariya was undaunted, and asked to be 

 received as his pupil. The old man said to him: " Henceforth cease from robbing 

 the poor. Take from the wicked rich and those who acquire money dishonestly and 

 help the suffering." Thus speaking, the old man turned into a huge frog and hopped 

 away. From that time forth the oppressed poor people rejoiced as the avaricious 

 and extortionate money lenders lost their treasures, while they were protected. 

 Jiariya married a beautiful woman, and after a very eventful life, and in one of his 

 greatest battles he was successful in killing the great dragon coil. During the time 

 he remained with the old man of the mountains he had learned how to govern the 

 frog, which at his bidding assumed great size, so that on its back he could stand up 

 and cross rivers. He also learned how to cause storms, control the mountain 

 spirits, and direct the elements at will, and throughout the country was known as 

 "Young Thunder." He was made a daimio of Idzu, and lived for many years in 

 the bosom of his family, engaged in the reading of books, teaching his children, 

 cultivating flowers, and beautifying his yashiki by the introduction of rare and 

 beautiful plants. (Japanese Fairy World, p. 126.) 



No. 117. Senso Dojin. — (Legend:) When Jiariya, or Young Thunder, in his youth 

 became chief of a band of robbers, he started out on an expedition to rob an old 

 man. This old man was Senso Dojin, who had lived in the mountains many hun- 

 dred years. His true body, however, was that of a frog, but retained the form of a 

 very old man. He determined to instruct Jiariya in the way of the mountain 

 spirits — how to cause a storm of wind or rain, to make a deluge, and control the ele- 

 ments; also how to govern frogs, and at his bidding to assume great size. Senso 

 Dojin then bade Jiariya depart and henceforth cease from robbing the poor, but to 

 take from the rich, the wicked, and dishonest. Thus speaking, the old man turned 

 into a frog and hopped away. 



No. 118. Lacquered pedestal. 



No. 119. Japanese god upon a horse. 



No. 120. Same as 119. 



No. 121. One of the seven patrons of happiness, Toshitoku, upon a reindeer in 

 repose. 



No. 122. A finely wrought vase, 12 inches in height. 



No. 123. Japanese bull, used as a beast of biu-den. 



No. 124. Bronze vase, square form, 12 inches in height. 



Nos. 125 and 126. Pair of cloisonn^ vases, 25 inches in height. 



