Chap. III. 
PEDESTRIANS ON THE TOKAIDO. 
attention. Some are crowned with queer-looking 
broad-brimmed straw hat?; others have napkins 
tied round their heads, and their hats slung behind 
their backs, only to he used when it rains or when 
the sun’s rays are disagreeably powerful; while 
others again have the head bare and shaven in 
front, with the little pigtail brought forward and 
tied down upon the crown. Mendicant priests are 
met with, chanting prayers at every door, jingling 
some rings on the top of a tall staff, and begging 
for alms for the support of themselves and their 
-temples. These are most independent-looking fel- 
lows, and seem to think themselves conferring a 
favour rather than receiving one. I observed that 
they were rarely refused alms by the people, 
although the same priests came round almost daily. 
To me the prayer seemed to be always the same — 
namely, iiam-nam-nam ; sometimes sung in a low 
key, and sometimes in a high one. When the little 
copper cash — the coin of the country— was thrown 
into the tray of the priest, he gave one more 
prayer, apparently for the charity he had received, 
jingled his rings, and then went on to the next 
door. Blind men are also common, who give 
notice of their approach by making a peculiar 
sound upon a reed. These men generally get 
their living by shampooing their more fortunate 
brethren who can see. Every now and then a 
group of sturdy beggars, each having an old straw 
mat thrown across his shoulders, come into the 
stream which flows along this great highway. 
