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Notices of Japan, No. X.
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In addition to the kami nusi, who constitute the regular clergy of Japan, there are two institutions of the blind, which are called religious orders, although the members of one of them are said to support themselves chiefly by music-even constituting the usual orchestra at the theatres. The incidents to which the foundation of these two blind fraternities is severally referred, are too romantic, and one is too thoroughly Japanese, to be omitted.
The origin of the first, the Bussats sato, is, indeed, purely sentimental. This fraternity was instituted, we are told, very many centuries ago, by Senmimar, the younger son of a mikado, and the handsomest of living men, in commemo- ration of his having wept himself blind for the loss of a princess, whose beauty equaled his own. These Bussats sato had existed for ages, when, in the course of civil war, the celebrated Yoritomo (of whom more will be spoken) defeated his antagonist, the rebel prince Feki (who fell in the battle), and took his general, Kakekigo, prisoner. This general's renown was great throughout Japan, and earnestly did the conqueror strive to gain his captive's friendship; he loaded him with kindness, and finally offered him his liberty. Kakekigo replied, "I can love none but my slain master. I owe you gratitude; but you caused prince Feki's death, and never can I look upon you without wishing to kill you. My best way to avoid such ingratitude, to reconcile my conflicting duties, is never to see you more; and thus do I insure it." As he spoke, he tore out his eyes and presented them to Yoritomo on a salver. The prince, struck with admiration, released him; and Kakekigo withdrew into retirement, where he founded the second order of the blind, the Fekisado. The superiors of these orders réside at Miyako, and appear to be subject alike to the mikado, and to the temple lords at Yedo.
Sinayu is now divided into two principal sects: the Yuitz, who profess them- selves strictly orthodox, admitting of no innovation; they are said to be few in number, and consist almost exclusively of the kami nusi; and Siebold doubts whether even their Sinsyu is quite pure: the other, the Riobu Sintoo, meaning two-sided kami worship, but which might perhaps be Englished by Eclectic Sinsyu, and is much modified, comprises the great body of Sintoo. Any explanation of this modification will be more intelligible after one of the co-existent religions— namely, Budhism-shall have been spoken of.
It might have been anticipated that a religion, upon which is thus essentially founded the sovereignty of the country, must for ever remain the intolerant, exclusive faith of Japan, unless superseded for the express purpose of openly and avowedly deposing the son of heaven. But two other religions co-exist, and have long co-existed, there with Sinsyu.
The first and chief of these is Budhism, the most widely diffused of all false creeds, as appears by an authentic estimate of their respective followers, in which we find, 252,000,000 Mohammedans, 111,000,000 believers in Brahma, and 315,000,000 Budhists. A very few words concerning this creed may help to ex- plain its co-existence and actual blending with Sinsyu.
Budhism does not claim the antiquity, the cosmogonic dignity, or the self. ereative origin of Sinsyu. Its founder, Sakya Sinha-called Syaka in Japan- was not a god, but a man, who, by his virtues and austerities, attaining to divine honors, was then named Budha, or the Sage, and founded a religion. His birth is placed at the earliest 2420, and at the latest, 543 years before the Christian
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