| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn: class of pretas enumerated in the old Buddhist books.
[2] A Segaki-service is a special Buddhist service performed on behalf of
beings supposed to have entered into the condition of gaki (pretas), or
hungry spirits. For a brief account of such a service, see my Japanese
Miscellany.
[3] Literally, "five-circle [or five-zone] stone." A funeral monument
consisting of five parts superimposed,-- each of a different form,--
symbolizing the five mystic elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth.
MUJINA
(1) A kind of badger. Certain animals were thought to be able to transform
themselves and cause mischief for humans.
Kwaidan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: touch of color and contrast to the waste of gray valley. Near at
hand they proved the enchantment lent by distance. They were
old, crumbling, broken down, squalid. A few goats climbed around
upon them; a few mangy dogs barked announcement of visitors; and
then a troop of half-naked, dirty, ragged children ran out. They
were very shy, and at first retreated in affright. But kind
words and smiles gained their confidence, and then they followed
in a body, gathering a quota of new children at each house.
Madeline at once conceived the idea of doing something to better
the condition of these poor Mexicans, and with this in mind she
decided to have a look indoors. She fancied she might have been
The Light of Western Stars |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Lin McLean by Owen Wister: "See here, Bill. They've quit expecting yu', don't yu' think? I'd ought
to waked, yu' see, but I slep' and slep', and kep' yu' from meetin' your
engagements, yu' see--for you couldn't go, of course. A man couldn't
treat a man that way now, could he?"
"Course he couldn't," said Billy, brightening.
"And they wouldn't wait, yu' see. They wouldn't fool away Christmas, that
only comes onced a year, kickin' their heels and sayin' 'Where's Billy?'
They'd say, 'Bill has sure made other arrangements, which he'll explain
to us at his leesyure.' And they'd skip with the cigars."
The advocate paused, effectively, and from his bolster regarded Billy
with a convincing eye.
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Spirit of the Border by Zane Grey: "No, no!"
"I saw such a frenzy once before, but, of course, only in a small band of
savages. Many times have I seen Indians preparing for the war-path, in search
of both white men and redskins. They were fierce then, but nothing like this.
Every one of these frenzied fiends is honest. Think of that! Every man feels
it his duty to murder these Christians. Girty has led up to this by cunning,
and now the time is come to let them loose."
"It means death for all."
"I have given up any thought of escaping," said Zeisberger, with the calmness
that had characterized his manner since he returned to the village. "I shall
try to get into the church."
The Spirit of the Border |
