Before the Buddhist temple, where there was preaching twice a year, were rows of little stone figures, many of which had lost their heads.  The heads were in much demand among gamblers who value them as mascots.  Among some mulberry plots belonging to different owners I saw a little wooden shrine, evidently for the general good.  It was there, it was explained, “not because of belief but of custom.”  The evening was drawing in and Fuji showed itself blue and mystical above the dark greenery of the country.  As I gazed a sweet-sounding gong was struck thrice in the temple.  Three times a day there is heard this summons to other thoughts than those of the common task.

[Illustration:  1.  INSIDE THE “SHOJI.” p. 35]

[Illustration:  2.  AUTOMATIC RICE POLISHER. p. 263]

[Illustration:  3.  THE AUTHOR (AND THE KODAK HOLDER) IN THE CRATER OF A VOLCANO. p. 108]

My companion entered into conversation with a decent middle-aged pedestrian, neatly but poorly dressed, and found that he was a man who had formerly pulled his kuruma in Tokyo.  The man had found the work of a kurumaya too much for him and had withdrawn to his village to open a tiny shop.  But he had been taken ill and had been removed to hospital.  When he came out he found that his wife was in poverty and that his eldest son had been summoned to serve in the army.  Now his wife had become ill and he was on his way to a distant relative to ask him to take charge of a small child and to help him with a little money to start some petty business.  My companion gave him a yen and deplored the fact that poor people should fail to take advantage of the law releasing from service a son required for the support of a parent.  They failed occasionally to find friends to represent their case to the authorities.

[Illustration:  A WAYSIDE MONUMENT. p. 39]

[Illustration:  THE GIANT RADISH OR “DAIKON,” WHICH IS USED AS A PICKLE. p. 309]

While waiting at the station we talked with another old man.  He had come to see his daughter whose husband had been called up for two years’ service.  She was living of course with her parents-in-law.  He said that his daughter would have no difficulty in keeping the farm going during the young man’s absence, but his being away was “a great loss.”

The old man, who squatted at our feet as he spoke, went on to tell us about a young man of his village who had served his term in the navy but thought of remaining for another term.  “Gran’fer” thought it a good opening for him; he would not only get his living and clothes but—­and this is characteristic—­“see the world and send back interesting letters.”  The ancient was specially interested in the sailor, he said, because his wife had “given milk” to the adventurer when an infant.