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Show SMRINF'S MEAWING NOTPLAIN 'cted tb the Memory of Japanese Maid, But Ita Precise Idea Hardly Apparent. Ono of tho pretty shrines of Japan Is based on tho story of n beautiful alrl, nnd to this dny occidentals enn not flguro out If tho shrlno 'was to perpetuate n tragedy or an honor. Tho story Is that Ynmatodake, one of the grcntcst warriors In tho history of tho country, hnlted for a night at tho vlllngo of Shlmodnlrn. Ho was wenry U4 uiiiuu ami sirire, ann sent out word to tho vlllngo that ho wlBhcd to be entertained by tho prettiest girl there. Kcmnchlyn was selected, nnd it Is told how sho spent tho evening singing and dancing for tho warrior. Ho went on his masterful wny tho next morning leaving tho little maiden to mourn his pnsslng, nnd to glvo birth to his child In duo time. Now, tho child died, an did Its mother, moth-er, nnd tho vlllngo erected Uio Bhrlno. and ovcry few yenrs It Is rebuilt nnd made moro beautiful. But whnt no occidental can discover Is whollicr tho shrlno was built to remind tho citizens of Uio militarism of tho old days that trod with relentless heels on beggni' and wealthy nllko, nnd thus to pay trlbuto to n tragedy, or whether It was built to show that tho great warrior war-rior honored tho humblo vIHn.go by taking ono of Its membership Into his arms. |