even to the undevout, the starched flounces of some ceremonial dress. In the Ryōbu variety the central connecting link is raised upright in the midst, clothes-pinned upon the stick; owing to its cut, it flanges out a little toward the top, which does for the divine neck and head. In the purer Shintō form the top piece is bent down over the rest, symbolic of a more perfect pose.
On occasion the god deigns to inhabit this habit of his. Such embodiment, indeed, is graciously taking place every day at any Shintō temple. To say that it takes place at the god's pleasure, however, is to put it flatteringly to the god; for it really happens at the will of the worshiper. Every prayer, even the merest momentary mumble, involves incarnation of the gohei by the god, and at a moment's call. For before he begins his prayer the worshiper claps his hands. This is a summons to the god to descend; a like signal bids him depart. At any popular shrine there is thus a continual coming and going on the part of the god; which seems understandable enough until one attempts to understand it. For what happens when two persons call at overlap-
