288 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
This is one of the largest and most celebrated in 
Tokio. On reaching the locality, we pass on through 
long avenues crowded with men, women, and chil- 
dren. Here, on either hand, are stalls filled with 
nicknacks of all descriptions, with refreshments, and 
troughs containing sacred water, with numberless 
sacred towels flying like so many flags. As we 
approach the Holy of Holies, a large bronze figure 
of Buddha is in view, and we pass on to the building, 
gorgeously decorated in gold and lacquer work, with 
elaborate and ornamental carved roofs and pillars. 
The sacred shrine to which the multitude come to 
pray is protected by a large frame of wire netting. 
A curious practice seems in force with the hundreds 
who pay their devotions here : they purchase from 
the priest in attendance small squares of paper, on 
which are inscribed certain hieroglyphics ; these 
they chew for a time, and then throw as pellets at 
the grating (which is consequently covered with 
the results). And the precision with which these 
pellets strike the grating, or go through the mesh, 
determines certain inferences as to good or bad 
luck. 
Near at hand are large buildings devoted to 
various exhibitions, all more or less for the benefit 
of the temple (in a pecuniary sense). I went to one, 
and saw the wrestlers. This is one of the sights of 
Japan. There were some ten thousand visitors 
present, and some twenty or thirty performers. 
