Tues. 19 [19 April 1898] Delicious day with a heat haze. Out to the
police station about my watch, then to Daibutsu not near so good as
the Kamakua one. Interesting old carvings of gods - some very good
ones indeed in the Kobukuji. Seated figures excellent. Then walked
through the park back to the tea house and caught the 10.47 to Osaka
where we arrived about 12.30. Endless drive through the streets to the
Osaka Hotel. Bustling busy town, full of canals and rivers and factory
chimneys in the distance. Rather bare hotel, but most comfortable to
have a room and a bed. After lunch I drove to the castle, a bazaar,
and the Tennoji through a street of temples. Saw the bell of lead
rung[?] and all the offerings of toys and children's clothes, and the
fountain into which they dip chai[?]. One woman was at both. Tortoise
pond and charming blossoms. Back to Kozu no miya from whence
view of the town. Inari shrines, all the Inaris with bibs on. Down to a
garden. Grass growing on little stones in pots, through theatre st
home. M. [Maurice] and the other 2 went to a wrestling match, I made
friends with a little soldier in the bazaar, he spoke English and said he
was delighted to meet me and asked me if I knew Mrs Hamilton! After
dinner Mr de R. [de Rutzen] M and I to a dance and waited an hour, Mr
de R went home. Dance very like Kyoto, not so good. Funny when a
jetty walked out into the stage, a boy took the candle out of the
lighthouse, and the whole opened out, stood on its end and became
a temple garden. Home at 11. Most of the shops still open.