44 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 8o 



them in the open to roast in the hot sun. Their own sufferings will 

 cause them to exert their powers and cause rain. 



Sometimes there are processions in which a straw image of the 

 dragon is carried. Water is thrown on the straw image, on the par- 

 ticipants, and on others who may come within reach. 



In the summer of 1923 the writer witnessed a procession of this 

 kind, in which there were more than 20 men and boys. They wore 

 only shoes, trousers, and a wreath or cap made of green willow twigs 

 with the green leaves still on the twigs. Near the center of the proces- 

 sion were a long straw dragon and a water-buffalo on which a boy was 

 riding. Those who were on foot had dippers and were throwing water 

 on each other, on the straw dragon, on the water-buffalo, on the houses, 

 and on anyone who happened to pass by. At the end of the procession 

 they were to pay their respects to one of the gods in a local temple.^ 



There is a ceremony called the yang miao hiiei, which is performed 

 in some districts by Taoist priests at the time of rice-planting. Classics 

 are read or chanted, and there is a procession. The priest pronounces 

 incantations, and papers are hung up on sticks in the rice paddies. 

 When these are finished Ti Kong or Earth Prince and Ti Mu or 

 Earth Mother are worshipped. This ceremony is to encourage the rice 

 to grow. 



A picturesque rite is practiced to drive insects away from the fields. 

 A f ter the young vegetables come out of the ground, destructive insects 

 begin to appear. After dark lanterns are carried through the field, 

 and gongs are beaten. This ceremony is supposed to lessen the danger 

 to the crops from insects. 



In the spring when the weather grows warm, pestilences are apt 

 to appear. In almost every city or village are held ceremonies to 

 clear the streets of the evil spirits which cause disease. 



2. THE GREAT FESTIVALS 



Throughout the year there are many calendar festivals, most of 

 which escape the notice of foreigners. Dore has given a calendar for 



* The following paragraph is taken from the Herald-Examiner, Chicago, 

 111., August 10, 1926. — 



"Japs Drench Yank as Part of a Prayer. Tokio, Aug. 18. — The secretary 

 of the American embassy, motoring through Hachioji, near Tokio, on 

 Sunday, was suddenly drenched with water by a crowd before a wayside 

 shrine. Believing an insult was intended, the secretary reported the incident 

 to the foreign office. Investigation reveals that the crowd was performing a 

 ceremony, praying for rain, this ceremony including throwing water on the 

 first passerby." 

 It seems that such ceremonies to pray for rain are widespread throughout 

 Asia. 



