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68 be taken in a purely ceremonial sense, the real archer being Mr. Kobayashi.

For his benefit, four short posts about four feet high had been planted directly under the platform, ready to receive two swords, on the blades of which he was to stand while engaged in his act. We could not help wondering how he was to get upon them. Indeed, the elevating nature of the whole performance was not the least impressive part of it. The reason for this lay, we were told, in the intrinsic purity of high places, because above the ordinary level of mankind. Certainly, with a ladder of sword-blades for sole means of approach, the platform above did not seem likely to prove overcrowded.

On the left stood the Kagura-dō or dancing-stage, filled with musicians, who were at the moment engaged in tuning up—not a highly melodious performance at best. They kindly desisted to let us lunch upon the stage, which we did while the other preparations went on, to the open-mouthed enjoyment of many small villagers, who had already begun to collect for the occasion. As soon as lunch was over the swords were brought out. They had not been lashed in place