A LIVING GOD

. . . “ Whose maidens are these,— the maidens who stand like flowers before the deity? They are the maidens of the august deity.
“ The majestic music, the dancing of the maidens,— the deity will be pleased to hear, the deity will rejoice to see.
“ Before the great bright God the maidens dance,— the maidens all like flowers newly opened. ” . . .

Votive gifts of many kinds would be given to me: painted paper lanterns bearing my sacred name, and towels of various colors printed with the number of years of the giver, and pictures commemorating the fulfillment of prayers for the healing of sickness, the saving of ships, the quenching of fire, and the birth of sons.

Also my Karashishi, my guardian lions, would be honored. I would see my pilgrims tying straw sandals to their necks and to their paws, with a prayer to the Karashishi-Sama for strength of foot.

I would see fine moss, like emerald fur, growing slowly, slowly, upon the backs of those lions;—I would see the sprouting of