KUMAMOTO, January, 1892.
DEAR ŌTANI,--Your long and most interesting letter gave me much
pleasure, as well as much information. I am very glad to have had my
questions so nicely answered; for I am writing an essay on Shintō
home-worship in Izumo,--all about the _kamidana_, etc. I know a good
deal about general forms and rules, but very little about the reverence
paid _in the house_ to the family dead (forefathers, father, mother,
dead children, etc.)--in Shintō, which is very interesting to know.
I think much of the modern customs shows a Chinese origin, though the
spirit of pure Shintō seems to be wholly Japanese.
I think your first explanation of the form of the _omiki dokkuri no
kuchi-sashi_ is the correct one,--so far as this is concerned. I am
not sure, but the shape is strikingly like that of the mystic jewel of
Buddhist art. There is another form in brass, which I have, that seems
intended to represent a folded paper; but I am not sure what it means.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
Many thanks for your very valuable notes about the January customs.
You told me quite a number of things I did not know before,--such as
the rules about the twist of the straw-rope, and the symbolism of the
charcoal and many other articles. But I would like to know why the
pendent straws should be 3-5-7: is there any mystic signification in
those numbers? I thought the Japanese mystic number was 8....
Take good care of your health.
Ever very truly yours,
LAFCADIO HEARN.