![[Illustration]](https://oldbook.b-cdn.net/kitaplar/1/pg8128-h/images/cover.jpg)
In Ghostly Japan
by Lafcadio Hearn
Contents
List of Illustrations
| The Mountain of Skulls |
| The Magical Incense |
| The Peony Lantern |
| The Lights of the Dead |
| S’rîpâda-tracing at Dentsu-In, Koishikawa, Tōkyō |
| Shō-Ekō-Hō-Kwan |
| Square and Triangle |
| Jizō |
| Emma Dai-ō |
Fragment
And it was at the hour of sunset that they came to the foot of the mountain.There was in that place no sign of life,—neither token of water, nortrace of plant, nor shadow of flying bird,—nothing but desolation risingto desolation. And the summit was lost in heaven.
Then the Bodhisattva said to his young companion:—“What you haveasked to see will be shown to you. But the place of the Vision is far; and theway is rude. Follow after me, and do not fear: strength will be givenyou.”
Twilight gloomed about them as they climbed. There was no beaten path, nor anymark of former human visitation; and the way was over an endless heaping oftumbled fragments that rolled or turned beneath the foot. Sometimes a massdislodged would clatter down with hollow echoings;—sometimes thesubstance trodden would burst like an empty shell….Stars pointed and thrilled;and the darkness deepened.
“Do not fear, my son,” said the Bodhisattva, guiding: “dangerthere is none, though the way be grim.”
Under the stars they climbed,—fast, fast,—mounting