Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 6.djvu/39

 a strange feature about these eagle rakes. Their teeth are said to be made from the wood of coffins. At cremations, if economy has to be practised, the corpse is removed from its casket and exposed to the direct action of the flames. The casket then becomes the property of the crematory and is purchased by the rake-makers. There is no explanation of such a singular custom, nor any evidence that it is observed on principle. The parent potato typifies humble ambition. Buried underground and growing in oblivion, it is, at all events, the head of a family. "Better be the comb of a cock than the tail of an ox." Millet dumplings are associated with the orthodox group of lucky articles by a play upon words. To "clutch millet with wet hands" is a popular metaphor for greed. Mochi, which signifies a dumpling, signifies also "to hold." Thus "millet dumpling" becomes a metaphor for grasping largely and holding firmly. The strength of the people's faith in these pilgrimages, prayers, and purchases is evidenced by the crowd that the city pours out to the Tori-no Machi every fall, and by the eager happiness of the worshippers' mien. But if any members of the upper classes go, it is only to look and to laugh.

In the festivals thus far described there is nothing that suggests any affinity between the religious rites of Japan and those of ancient Europe. But a point of marked similarity is now reached. Just as the fire of Hestia was kept perpetually