Numerous other cases of inspired utterances are recorded in Japanese history. They have generally relation to the worship of the God concerned, directing the erection of a new shrine, indicating religious observances which will do him pleasure, or complaining that he is neglected or insulted. The Buddhist priests, who converted Shinto to their own purposes, made frequent use of this means of sanctioning their encroachments, and it was also made to serve political purposes. Some of the above notices are purely legendary, and of the rest many are open to a suspicion of imposture. It is probable, however, that in most cases the writers who recorded or invented them had in view the hypnotic trance, a kind of condition which is well known in Japan at the present day. The following description of a hypnotic _séance_ is abridged from Mr. Percival Lowell's interesting book, 'Occult Japan.' A place having been chosen, either holy or else purified _ad hoc_, a _gohei_ is set up with lighted candles beside it and flanking these, sprigs of _sakaki_, the sacred tree of Shinto. In front of the _gohei_ is set out a feast for the God. Some five feet in front a porous earthenware bowl is placed on a stand, and in the bowl a pyre of incense sticks. The purification of the place consists in enclosing the spot with strings, from which depend at intervals small _gohei_, and from the space so shut off driving out all evil spirits by prayer, finger-charms,[322] sprinkling of salt, striking of sparks by flint and steel, and brandishing a _gohei_. The persons of the officiators are purified by bathing and putting on fresh white garments. In its full complement the company consists of eight persons, the _naka-za_ (middle-seat) corresponding to the medium, the _mae-za_ (front-seat), who is the director of the proceedings, and puts the necessary questions to the medium, and several others whose business it is to ward off evil influences, &c. A purification service having been chanted under the leadership of the _mae-za_, and songs sung to the accompaniment of the _shaku-jō_,[323] a sort of staff with metal rings attached to it, the pyre is lighted, and as the flames ascend into the air prayers go up to Fudōsama.[324] The _gohei_ having been removed and set up in the middle, the men take their seats for the descent of the God. Facing the _gohei_, they go through a further short incantation. Then one of the subordinates holds the _gohei_ while the _naka-za_ seats himself where it had been and closes his eyes. The _mae-za_ takes the _gohei_ and places it between the hands of the _naka-za_. Then all the others join in chant, and watch for the advent of the God.