is the first seat, and the rest are numbered from it, usually to
the left.


V

Although the original signification of incense in Buddhist
ceremonies was chiefly symbolical, there is good reason to
suppose that various beliefs older than Buddhism,--some, perhaps,
peculiar to the race; others probably of Chinese or Korean
derivation,--began at an early period to influence the popular
use of incense in Japan. Incense is still burned in the presence
of a corpse with the idea that its fragrance shields both corpse
and newly-parted soul from malevolent demons; and by the peasants
it is often burned also to drive away goblins and the evil powers
presiding over diseases. But formerly it was used to summon
spirits as well as to banish them. Allusions to its employment in
various weird rites may be found in some of the old dramas and
romances. One particular sort of incense, imported from China,
was said to have the power of calling up human spirits. This was
the wizard-incense referred to in such ancient love-songs as the
following:--

"I have heard of the magical incense that summons the souls
of the absent:
Would I had some to burn, in the nights when I wait alone!"

There is an interesting mention of this incense in the Chinese
book, Shang-hai-king. It was called Fwan-hwan-hiang (by Japanese
pronunciation, Hangon-ko), or "Spirit-Recalling-Incense;" and it