JAPAN
should be exhibited in the neighbourhood of the mausolea: —
To the TENGU and other Demons.
Whereas our Shōgun intends to visit the Nikko Mausolea next April, now therefore ye Tengu and other Demons inhabiting these mountains must remove elsewhere until the Shōgun's visit is concluded.
(Signed) Mizuno, Lord of Dewa.Dated July, 1860.
On another notice-board the local officials addressed the supernatural beings as follows: —
To the Great and Small TENGU and Demons.
Having received orders from the Shōgun's chief officers to exhibit the accompanying tablet in connection with the coming of His Highness to Nikko, we obey as in duty bound. Therefore ye Tengu and Demons had better disperse to Mounts Kurama and Atago of Kyōtō, Mount Akibu of Tōtōmi province, and Mount Hiko of Buzen province.
It will be observed that appropriate routine is followed in these notices. The order from the Shōgun's chief minister is couched in general terms; the order from the local officials at Nikko gives detailed directions to the goblins and imps as to the places of their retreat.
It need scarcely be said that the deities are credited with ability to inflict punishment before death, as when a man that stole nails from a Buddhist idol lost the use of four fingers, and a youth that derided Shaka was permanently fixed
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