TOMBS OF THE TYCOONS. 327 



the most dangerous cut-throats and hipj-hway-rohbers 

 in Japan. At that moment the mounted escort, con- 

 sisting of three Yakonins, — two-sworded officers, — and 

 our bettos, of tattooed celebrity, joined us with the 

 chairs, and we marched off through endless bazaars to 

 Sheba, the tombs and temples erected to the memory 

 of seven Tycoons. 



These granite tombs stand upon a pedestal, within 

 an enclosure of handsome lacquer walls and heavy 

 bronze gates, approached by two or three wide steps ; 

 those of the wives of the Tycoons are of a similar con- 

 struction, but more simple. On entering the court- 

 yard, the temples being nearly hidden from view by 

 the thick foliage of pines and cypresses, I passed the 

 usual bell-shaped pagoda, and continuing my walk 

 along the avenue and amongst flowering shrubs, I 

 presently came to a sort of ornamental gallows, the 

 sacred gateway, or Torii, which marks the precincts of 

 every Japanese temple ; and a dozen more steps brought 

 me face to face with a detached portico leading to the 

 temples, the largest of which, situated to the extreme 

 left, is 180 years old, guarded by two enormous stone 

 dragon-dogs. This edifice is double in its construction. 

 The inner temple is reached by wooden steps, lacquered 

 black, resembling marble to a nicety ; its roof is sup- 



