Characteristics of the Lithograph.

Lithograph Type: Tinted lithograph on gray paper
Page Size: 14 1/2 x 19 3/4 in -- 26.5 x 50.2 cm
Image Area: 8 7/16 x 12 3/16 in -- 21.5 x 31 cm
Format: Lithograph tipped onto the page
Page thickness: Thick card stock.
Titling:

W. Heine del.
Litho of Sarony & Co, 117 Fulton St, New York
Grave-Yard at Simoda, Dio Zenge. (No. 10)

IX.
Grave-Yard at the Simoda-dio-zenge.

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The Simoda-dio-zengo, as already mentioned, is used as a residence for foreigners during their visit to the place. While Commodore Perry sojourned at Simoda, it was the head-quarters, in which the various conferences with the imperial commissioners were held.

It is a large spacious building, with suites of apartments for the attending priests. The temple itself contains a large hall; in it are various altars, ornamented with images, which are surrounded by lanterns, vases filled with flowers, and curiously carved candlesticks. Near the door is a large bell with a rope attached to it. On entering the temple the worshipper rings this bell in order to announce his arrival to the deity, then he places his offerings, which consist either in money or food, in a chest that stands near the door, and before the altar he performs his devotions.

In a house in the temple-yard, seen to the right of the engraving in the distance, is a large bell, on which the officiating priest strikes several times, during the day and the night, the hours for prayers.

Attached to the "dio zenge " is a grave-yard, filled with numerous monuments, many of which are of ancient date.

The Japanese show great reverence to the memory of their dead, and the burials are performed with great ceremony. If possible the tomb is dug near a temple, and is usually rendered water-tight by walls of stone and cement. If the deceased is married, a vacant place is left for his widow, whose name is also inscribed on the monument in red letters, which are blackened or gilded, as soon as the survivor has followed her dead companion.

If, for some reason, the body cannot be buried near a temple, a monument containing his epitaph is erected in the common grave-yard, and it happens sometimes that persons who have died in some far-distant place have their name, engraved on the common family monument.

The Sintooists mourn the death of a relation for a whole year, but the other sects only forty-nine days. During this time the relations make frequent visits to the tomb to pray and to make offerings, which are often a certain kind of cakes, the number of which is always in accordance with the number of days which have passed since the burial.

When the mourning is ended, the male relations shave their heads and beard, which they always allow to grow during the time of mourning, and then they return to the duties and pleasures of every day life. They visit their friends, and thank them for the part which they took in their mourning.

During the succeeding fifty years the children and grandchildren visit the tombs of there parents or grandfathers annually, on the anniversary of his decease.

Return to the Main Page for Graphic Scenes of the Japan Expedition.

Introduction (Text Only)

Plate #1 - Portrait of Commodore Perry


Plate #2 - Macao from Penha Hill


Plate #3 - The Pagoda of Wampoa - Colored

Available for Purchase - Folio Print on Bristol Board

Plate #4 - Old China Street in Canton - Colored


Plate #5 - Kung-twa at Lew-Chew


Plate #6 - Mia, the Roadside Chapel at Yoku-hama


Plate #7 - Temple of Ben-teng, in the Harbor at Simoda


Plate #8 - Street and Bridge at Simoda


Plate #9 - Temple of Ha-tshu-man-ya Tschu-ro, at Simoda


Plate #10 - Grave-yard at Simoda, Dio Zenge

Available for Purchase - Folio Print on Bristol Board

 

Image Area: This is the measurements for the frame box that surrounds each image.
 
Formats.

• Type I - Lithograph printed on separate sheet which is tipped (affixed) to the page (book format) or bristol board (folio format). Titling to the lithograph is printed on the page/board.

• Type II - Entire lithograph (including titling) is printed onto the page (book format) or bristol board (folio format).