m36_i_a_2b_i_94_04_12

in native costume and some of the children. A great many
men too wore the native dress though a large part wore
European costume. There were wide avenues with lovely
woods on either side and in some places lawns, all so
natural looking and so lovely. I wish I had worn some -
thing black for I felt very conspicious, in brown, {word struck out} we
were the only Haoli people I'm sure and all the Japanese
were in soft shades of black or dark blue. from the back you
could {word struck out} catch glimpses of the red or green kimona underneath
through the open place under the sleeve hole. It was a very
orderly crowd, quiet yet happy looking and so well behaved
as it was considered a priviledge to be allowed to enter the
grounds. There was only a sign outside saying that you
were prohibited to drive inside. break branches off trees or
catch the birds and no further signs were needed inside.
The avenue was about a quarter of a mile long and we
went under a beautiful Tori gate made from natural
wood. Two tree trunks forming the uprights and the
weather had turned it all a rich gray. At the end of
one long avenue we came to another gate leading to a
large square place a few steps above the level of the
park, in the center of which was a still higher platform
on which was the shrine itself. It was such a lovely quiet
setting in the midst of beautiful wood and the noises of the
city were too far away to hear at the shrine. Inside the first
sort of gate were various buildings. all with the graceful
lines of the Japanese roof and all the buildings weathered.
There were beautiful tall pine trees still supported by
cables and wire for they were moved as large trees, and
haven't as yet taken root sufficiently. On the right was
a small platform with a roof over it and hanging
between the {word struck out} uprights which supported the roof were