; Touched by the supplications, Vulcan, the Blacksmith God, responded with his inventive genius, fashioning what tradition is pleased to call the first mirror, a huge disk of burnished metal, rivalling the This was sun itself in brightness. taken by the gods, in company with Suzume, the Goddess of Mirth, to the cavern of Amaterasu, where Suzume gave her famous Kagura dance, causing great hilarity among the gods. Lured by feminine curiosity as to the cause of such commotion at her sacred door, she peered out, and on seeing Suzume, asked why she thus danced and sang.

One of the gods made reply that they rejoiced in honor of a goddess more beautiful than she, and invited Amaterasu to come out and behold her. On advancing toward the mouth of the cave, she was confronted by the wondrous mirror and beheld therein a face of great beauty. Not knowing it to be a reflection of herself, and wondering who her rival was, Amaterasu left her cavern refuge, when suddenly the God of Strong Hands, the Hercules of Japan, rolled an immense boulder before This of course prethe entrance. vented her return, and gave the people their glad Sun once more, which brought joy to the land and life to the fields. Bronze Vase. Illustrating one of many adaptations of the Dragon in Japanese art notable for excellent workmanship and tooling. Collection of A. A. Vantine & Co. Shepherd's Wand, Symbol of Authority. Carved in Chinese Jade, on pedestal of teakwood. From collection of Mr. James I. Raymond. 33 HARA KIRI.

[Seppuku, the Honorable Death.] One writer has very appropriately characterized this chivalrous and peculiarly Japanese observance as "A crimson thread running thro' the history of Japan." Until a generation ago, according to Mr. James L. Bowes' "Japanese Pottery," Hara Kiri was in general practice ; even now it is followed by those who adhere to the customs of old Japan, by whom it is regarded as an act as beautiful in execution For more than six centuries the feudal classes resorted to this as it is in theory. mode of self-despatch as an ideal way of avenging an insult, while others employed it when unwilling to survive some family disgrace, or as the surest way of winning posthumous fame.

The paintings, and the decorations on the potteries and porcelains of Japan often picture famous Japanese generals and their followers in the act of committing Hara Kiri, artists undoubtedly receiving their inspiration from countless occurrences recorded in Japanese history where this " honorable and dignified " privilege was In one instance more than six thousand of the Hojo army committed Hara enjoyed. Kiri after defeat by the adherents of the Mikado during the wars of the fourteenth century, it being a common circumstance for the followers of a fallen leader to "despatch" themselves that they might die with their master. In another instance Masashige Kusunoki, Go-Daigo's faithful vassal, was finally defeated after a valorous career, and, feeling powerless to further aid his much loved master, he committed Hara Kiri, followed by one hundred and fifty of his retainers ; such patriotism and devotion to his emperor won for him the title of the " Mirror of Stainless Loyalty."