151
See Index, Ujigami.
152
See Index, Imibe.
153
"There lies in dwarfs a special acquaintance with the healing virtues hidden in herbs." – Grimm, 'Teutonic Mythology.'
154
See above, p. 107. (#Page_107)
155
See above, p. 93. (#FNanchor_64_64)
156
See Index, Michiahe.
157
"Before strangers are allowed to enter a district certain ceremonies are often performed by the natives of the country for the purpose of disarming them of their magical powers, of counteracting the baleful influence which is believed to emanate from them, or of disinfecting, so to speak, the tainted atmosphere with which they are supposed to be surrounded." – Frazer's 'Golden Bough,' i. 150.
158
See Index, Tsuina.
159
Eustathius, the commentator on Homer, points out that the barley-corn denoted the vulva with the writers upon the Bacchic Komuses.
160
I have before me a picture of a Dōsōjin. It stands at cross-roads, and is a phalloid natural boulder over which depends a shimenaha supported by two bamboos. In front of it are little piles of stones, of which the similar offerings to the Buddhist children's God Jizōsama are doubtless a survival. The modern practice of bringing the Jizō of the neighbourhood and dumping them down before the lodging of a newly-married couple is no doubt a similar case of survival. A custom which began with the Dōsōjin is continued with the Jizō, which now occupy their place at crossways.
161
We may compare with this an old English custom mentioned by Brand of the priests blessing candles at Candlemas and distributing them to the people, "so that the Divil may fly out of the habitation."
162
See above, p. 93. (#FNanchor_64_64)
163
Phaseolus radiatus.
164
The modern spelling sai implies an altered conception of the function of these objects. It means good luck, a vaguer and more general idea than sahe, which means prevention (of disease).
165
See Index.
166
The names of plants.
167
The names of plants.
168
Crossways had a special sanctity in many countries. The Hermæ of ancient Greece stood at crossways.
169
See Index, Tsuji-ura.
170
Measures were taken in ancient Greece to check the excesses of the Bacchanalian rites.
171
For further evidence on this subject, Dr. Buckley's 'Phallicism in Japan' (Chicago, 1895), the Nihongi, i. 11, and Dr. Griffis's 'Religions of Japan' may be consulted.
172
Nihongi, i. 30.
173
According to St. Augustine, the devils of Scripture are our passions and unbridled appetites.
174
For an account of similar priests or medicine men in many other countries, see 'The Golden Bough.' The Nazirite (Numbers vi.) is their Jewish counterpart.
175
See Hirata's Koshiden, xviii. 23.