Page:Occult Japan - Lovell.djvu/163

Rh, was suspended in the recess, in front of which stood a gohei, bosomed in sprigs of Shinto's sacred tree, the dark green gloss of the leaves bringing out vividly the white paper flounces of the symbol of the god. On either side of it stood a candle speared upon its candlestick. A modest repast of salt and raw rice lay below, and flanking it a saké bottle not innocent of real saké. In front of the feast, in a pair of saucers, two tiny wicks floating in rape-seed oil made holy twinkles of light.

In the middle of the sacred space, duly inclosed by a frieze of pendent gohei, was built the symbolic primeval house of incense sticks. The place was then purified by prayer, by striking of sparks from a flint and steel, and by air-dusting with the gohei at each of the four corners, after which the eight officiators severally left for the bathroom to bathe, and returned one after the other clad in the pilgrim dress. The bathing, though in this case privately done, is often publicly performed. On the occasion of a fire-crossing (hi-watari), I have seen the holy performers strip and bathe quite naturally at a convenient well, in the face of the