The temples are usually of very simple style, being constructed of wood and thatched. They contain no idols; but in the courtyards or approaches figures of real and imaginary animals are not at all uncommon, especially in the case of large temples. The approach is spanned by one or more _torii_. The _torii_, it is now generally admitted, was originally a perch for the fowls offered to the gods, not as food, but to give warning of daybreak. Its present use is not for this purpose, but is simply as a decoration. At the outer shrine of Isé, which is called the _gékû_, there is an immense number of votive _torii_ standing close to each other in long rows. But the more common form of votive offering is a large lantern, several feet in height, and formed either of wrought stone or of bronze. These are sometimes of very large size, even ten or twelve feet high, and are often crowded thickly near the approaches alike of Shinto and Buddhist temples. The worshiper does not enter the temple to worship at a Shinto shrine. He stands in front of it, striking his hands together, and offers, bowed, and usually in silence, the short and simple prayer which his own necessities dictate. [Illustration: SHINTO SHRINE, NEAR YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, WITH WORSHIPERS, VESSEL OF HOLY WATER, ETC.] [Illustration: A TENTO, OR “HEAVENLY LANTERN.”] THE SACRED SHRINES OF ISÉ. First for sacredness among the Japanese Shinto temples are the Shrines of Isé. These are to Japan what Mecca is to Mohammedan lands and what Jerusalem was to the Holy Land. Thousands of pilgrims visit these shrines every year. Sir E. J. Reed, thus describes his visit: “At the entrance we were met by two Shinto priests, who had been deputed to show us the sacred place. Passing under the _torii_, we were at once amid trees of an age and magnitude not often equaled. Within the temple-limits we came first to a small edifice, in which was the white horse of the deity of the place, which happened to be an artificial horse, the real one having recently died, and another not being forthcoming at present, for reasons which I did not learn. Soon afterward we came to two living black horses, consecrated to the service of the temple, and more particularly for the god of the place--‘the god of food, clothes and house living,’ according to one authority; or, ‘the god of the earth’s produce,’ as another has it, to ride upon in the processions of the great temple ceremonials. [Illustration: SHRINES OF ISÉ, THE MOST SACRED PLACE OF SHINTOISM.]