GHOSTS IN JAPAN.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11553, 14 February 1906, Page 4

GHOSTS IN JAPAN.

The ghost proper, in Japan, is very tall, willowy, and wailing, with the «spemlly weird feature of possessing no feet. The trailiug garments only support it, and disguise its deficiency, or it ends in a greyish mist. If a woman, it also proves unearthlinesa by fastening the kimono from right to left, instead of crossing it in true Japanese fashion, from left to right. There is an All Souls' Day in Japan, when spirits of the depauted visit the household shrines, and once more eat the food of man. Fathers sometimes re-appear to their children at other dates, and, if alarming, this is ; counted a sign of great good luck. Sometimes a gh»st has changed itself into •• a monstrous black eat with fieiyeyes," which gives a curious instance of kinship in superstitions between east and west. That black oat is so universally a deubtful chameter. ■ But the most touching superstition Concerns a sea-shore cave, where on. the rocky ledges about, and on the sandy floor are found towers of stones and pebbles. These are built by children's ghosts, who come there to play by night, and leave their small, fresh footsteps on the sand. Always they remain children, for the grown-up ghosts ha\e no feet. The soft beach shows the marks of little bare toes, but pious people leave straw sandal in the cave, that they may climb the ledges, yet keep their tender ilesh from hnrt. 'Such are things believed in Japan ; at least, so an educated young modern will tell you, by '• very simple people, and — well — women."