he garden
of Tamiya is wide and secluded. The wall prevents public access." People
looked at him aghast. He was either mad with courage, or obstinate in
disbelief in the power of O'Iwa San so plainly manifested. Shu[u]den
paid no attention to that surprised whispering. "Deign to show the way
thither." Thus the procession took its course back to Teramachi and
through the gate of Tamiya. A spot was selected, just before the garden
gate. It was open to the salutation and vows of passers-by, yet could be
shut off from direct access toward house and public. At Shu[u]den's
order a hole was dug, just four _shaku_ (feet) in depth. The Osho[u]
began the recitation of the sutra. The priests stood by in vigilant
attention. As the last word reverberated on the bishop's lips they
seized the sutra wrapped bamboo, slipped it in the long box--bum! the
lock snapped. The congregation was tremendously impressed. For a decent
time Shu[u]den remained in prayer and meditation. "The charm is
complete. O'Iwa no longer wanders, to her own penance and the disaster
of men. Henceforth he who says she does so lies. Hearken to the words of
Shu[u]den. Admit none such to your company. Let not children make this
place a playground. Shu[u]den has given warning. Pollution surely
follows. Their habits are unseemly, an insult to the dead. Even as to
parents, those with infants on their backs are specifically to be
excluded." He tied a paper covered with Sanscrit characters to a bamboo
stick. This was placed on a white wood stake. On the stake he wrote
kindred words, converting it into the counterfeit of a _sotoba_. Neither
he nor any present knew what the words meant, or had care as to their
ignorance of this essential of religion. Then he and his train gathered
up their gowns and galloped out the gate, after practice and receipt of
grave courtesy, so much did temple differ from shrine in its contact
with secular life. The assembled multitude departed; much edified by the
day's proceedings, and with low comment to each other on the
dilapidation of Tamiya, its fall from the one time spruce and
flourishing state. "Introduce a spendthrift in the door, and the wealth
leaks from every crevice. The spirit of Tamiya Matazaemon must grieve at
this sight. But why did he bring in as _muko_ a stranger?"

Iemon could flatter himself on the efficacy of the divine
interposition. The public mind was quieted. Nothing more was heard of
O'Iwa San. Only the daily summons, on