A Living God: ISC Class 11 English (Prism) summary, answers

Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, extras, and pdf of the story “A Living God” by Lafcadio Hearn which is part of ISC Class 11 English (Prism: A Collection of ISC Short Stories). However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.

Summary

The story is about Hamaguchi Gohei, a respected man in a Japanese village. He lived in a big farmhouse on a small hill overlooking a bay. The hill was surrounded by forests on three sides. The land from the hill sloped down to the water’s edge.

Japan sometimes experiences huge tidal waves called tsunamis, caused by earthquakes or underwater volcanic eruptions. One such tsunami hit Hamaguchi’s village, causing a lot of damage and fear. The village and the fields were destroyed, leaving only two straw roofs floating in the water.

Before the tsunami, Hamaguchi had set his rice stacks on fire. This made the villagers go to the hill to try to put out the fire. This act saved them from the tsunami that hit their village soon after. Hamaguchi lost his wealth, but he saved four hundred people. At first, the villagers were shocked by the loss, but they soon understood why Hamaguchi did what he did and thanked him.

After the disaster, the villagers honored Hamaguchi by calling him a god. They built a temple for him and worshipped him there. Even though they honored him this way, Hamaguchi continued to live simply in his old farmhouse on the hill. Even after he died, his temple still stands, and the people still pray to him when they are scared or in trouble.

The story ends with a thought about the soul. The villagers believed that a person’s spirit could be in many places at once, even while they are alive. This idea is different from Western ideas about the soul. The story suggests that the villagers’ belief might have some truth to it if we think that all minds are connected.

About the author

Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, also known as Koizumi Yakumo after naturalizing in Japan, was a writer of international renown, best known for his books about Japan, particularly his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories. Born on June 27, 1850, in Lefkada, Greece, Hearn was the son of an Irish father and a Greek mother. He spent his early life in Ireland and England before immigrating to the United States in his late teens.

In the U.S., Hearn worked as a journalist in Cincinnati, Ohio, and New Orleans, Louisiana, where he developed a reputation for his distinctive and evocative writing style. His articles often focused on local cultures, including Creole communities and voodoo practices in New Orleans, and he published several books on these subjects.

In 1890, Hearn moved to Japan as a newspaper correspondent. He quickly fell in love with the country’s culture and people, and decided to make Japan his permanent home. He married a Japanese woman, took on a Japanese name, and became a naturalized Japanese citizen.

Hearn’s writings about Japan brought the country’s rich folklore and complex social customs to the attention of Western readers for the first time. His books, including “Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan” (1894) and “Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things” (1904), remain some of the most popular English-language works about Japan. His work is characterized by a deep respect and affection for his adopted homeland, and he is credited with introducing many elements of Japanese culture to the West.

Hearn’s influence in Japan is also significant. He taught English literature at Tokyo Imperial University, and his interpretations of Japanese stories and customs have shaped the way many Japanese view their own history and culture. Today, Hearn is celebrated both in Japan and abroad for his contributions to cross-cultural understanding and his masterful storytelling.

Hearn passed away on September 26, 1904, in Tokyo, Japan, but his legacy continues to live on through his writings and the cultural bridges he helped to build.

Workbook answers/solutions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(1) Who is known as Hamaguchi?

Answer: (b) an old man

(ii) The story “A Leaving God” appears in which book written by Patrick Lafcadi Heam?

Answer: (d) Gleanings in Buddha fields

(iii) Hamaguchi saves the lives of..

Answer: (a) 400

(iv) When did this story take place?

Answer: (d) Before Meiji era

(v) How is a grandfather referred to in Japan?

Answer: (a) Ojiisan

(vi) Who is referred as Choja in Japan?

Answer: (d) the richest person

(vii) What is the name given to the sudden raising of tidal waves?

Answer: (b) Tsunami

(viii) Whom did Hamaguchi ask to bring a burning torch?

Answer: (b) Tada

(ix) What was Hamaguchi named by the villagers after they were saved?

Answer: (a) Hamaguchi Daimyojin

(x) Hamaguchi was the head of which village?

Answer: (d) None of the above

Logic-based questions

(1) The story “A Living God” is a real story because____________

Answer: it is based on the historical account of Hamaguchi Gohei, a respected elder in his village, who saved his community from a tsunami by setting fire to his rice stacks to draw them to higher ground.

(ii) Hamaguchi was justified in being apprehensive of the impending danger because____________

Answer: he had experienced many earthquakes in his time and understood the signs of an impending tsunami, such as the unusual receding of the sea.

(iii) Hamaguchi was right in setting the stacks of rice on fire because____________

Answer: this act served as a signal to draw the villagers away from the shore and up to higher ground, thus saving them from the incoming tsunami.

(iv) A human being can be called “A Living God” because____________

Answer: of their exceptional deeds and sacrifices for the welfare of others, as demonstrated by Hamaguchi who risked his wealth to save his community.

(v) The title of the story can be justified because____________

Answer: Hamaguchi’s actions led his community to revere him as a deity, a “Living God”, for his wisdom and selfless act that saved their lives.

(vi) Hamaguchi can be called the hero of the story because____________

Answer: he saved the lives of his entire village by setting his rice fields on fire to warn them of an incoming tsunami. His quick thinking and selfless action prevented a major disaster.

(vi) Tada thinks that his grandfather has gone mad because____________

Answer: he saw him setting fire to their own rice fields, not understanding that this was a desperate measure to save the village from the impending tsunami.

(vii) Hamaguchi emerges out to be a great character because____________

Answer: of his wisdom, courage, and selflessness. He sacrificed his own wealth (the rice fields) to save the lives of his fellow villagers. His actions were recognized and revered by the villagers, who even declared him a god.

(ix) Selfless action and presence of mind make a person a real hero because____________

Answer: these qualities enable them to make difficult decisions in critical situations, often leading to the protection and preservation of others’ lives, as demonstrated by Hamaguchi’s actions.

(x) The story has a relevance in the modern context also because____________

Answer: it highlights the importance of quick thinking, selflessness, and community spirit in times of natural disasters or crises. These qualities remain crucial for survival and recovery in such situations.

Short answer questions

1. What are the risks the people living on the coastal line face?

Answer: The people living on the coastal line face the risk of enormous tidal waves, or tsunamis, caused by earthquakes or by submarine volcanic action. These tsunamis can cause massive destruction, ruining towns and villages, and leading to loss of life.

2. Which is the natural calamity discussed here? When and where did it take place?

Answer: The natural calamity discussed here is a tsunami. It took place long before the era of Meiji on the Japanese coast.

3. What was Hamaguchi’s status in the village?

Answer: Hamaguchi was the most influential resident of his village. He had been the village headman for many years and was well-respected. He was often called “Grandfather” by the villagers, but due to his wealth, he was sometimes officially referred to as the Choja. He used to advise the smaller farmers, arbitrate their disputes, lend them money when needed, and sell their rice for them on the best terms possible.

4. Where was Hamaguchi’s house located? What was its importance?

Answer: Hamaguchi’s house was located at the verge of a small plateau overlooking a bay. It was a big thatched farmhouse and was the highest point in the village. Its location was important as it provided a vantage point to observe the village and the sea. This strategic location played a crucial role in Hamaguchi’s ability to save the villagers during the tsunami.

5. Where had his family members gone on that day?

Answer: On the day of the tsunami, Hamaguchi’s family members had gone to the village for a festival. The villagers were celebrating a good rice harvest with a dance in the court of the local Shinto temple. Hamaguchi and his little grandson were the only ones left at home because he was not feeling well.

6. What unusual thing the old man saw from his balcony?

Answer: The unusual thing the old man saw from his balcony was the sea behaving strangely. It had darkened quite suddenly, and it seemed to be moving against the wind. It was running away from the land, a phenomenon that indicated an impending tsunami.

7. What did the villagers do on looking at the sea and why?

Answer: On looking at the sea, the villagers ran to the beach and even beyond the beach to watch it. They were astounded by the unusual phenomenon of the sea receding far beyond its normal limit. This was something they had never witnessed before, and they did not understand that this monstrous ebb signified an impending tsunami.

8. How were the villagers generally warned?

Answer: The villagers were generally warned by the acolyte of the hill-temple, who would set the big bell booming in case of danger. In this particular instance, the bell was rung after Hamaguchi set his rice stacks on fire, creating a visual signal that something was wrong.

9. Who is Tada? Why did Hamaguchi call him?

Answer: Tada is Hamaguchi’s grandson. Hamaguchi called him to quickly light a torch. This was part of Hamaguchi’s plan to save the villagers from the impending tsunami. He set his rice stacks on fire to attract the villagers to higher ground, away from the sea.

10. What was the importance of rice for the old man?

Answer: For Hamaguchi, the rice was of great importance as it represented most of his invested capital. The rice stacks were his wealth and livelihood. However, in the face of the impending disaster, he chose to sacrifice this wealth to save the lives of his fellow villagers.

Long answer questions

1. Hamaguchi proves to be a ‘Living God’ to the villagers. Discuss and illustrate from the text.

Answer: Hamaguchi, the headman of the village, is revered as a ‘Living God’ by the villagers due to his selfless act of sacrifice and foresight that saved their lives. When he noticed the sea behaving unusually, he understood that a tsunami was imminent. He set fire to his rice fields, which was his wealth, to gather all the villagers at the higher ground of his field. This act of setting the rice fields on fire was a sacrifice he made to save the villagers from the impending disaster. After the tsunami, the villagers realized the reason behind his actions and were grateful for his wisdom and selflessness. They lost their homes and fields, but their lives were saved. In their gratitude and reverence, they declared him a god, Hamaguchi Daimyojin, and built a temple in his honor. They believed that the spirit within him was divine and worshipped him, considering it the greatest honor they could bestow upon him.

2. What is observed keenly by Hamaguchi from the window of his house? What does he do to save the whole village?

Answer: Hamaguchi observed the sea behaving unusually from the window of his house. He noticed that the sea was moving against the wind and was receding from the land, exposing parts of the seabed that were never seen before. Understanding the signs of an impending tsunami from the tales told by his ancestors, he acted quickly. He set fire to his rice fields, which were his wealth, to gather all the villagers at the higher ground of his field. He did this knowing that the villagers would rush to put out the fire, thus moving them away from the lower ground near the sea where the tsunami would strike. His quick thinking and selfless act saved the lives of the villagers.

3. ‘Selfless service is the best’, validate this statement with close reference to the text.

Answer: The story of Hamaguchi validates the statement ‘Selfless service is the best’. When he noticed the signs of an impending tsunami, he did not think about his wealth or the loss he would incur. He set fire to his rice fields, which were his wealth, to gather all the villagers at the higher ground of his field. He made a personal sacrifice for the greater good of the community. After the tsunami, the villagers realized the reason behind his actions and were grateful for his wisdom and selflessness. They lost their homes and fields, but their lives were saved because of Hamaguchi’s selfless service. In their gratitude and reverence, they declared him a god and built a temple in his honor. His selfless service earned him the respect and reverence of the villagers, validating the statement that ‘Selfless service is the best’.

Additional questions and answers

1. Who is Hamaguchi Gohei?

Answer: Hamaguchi Gohei was an influential resident of a Japanese village. He was the village’s headman, or muraosa, and was well-respected and liked by the people. He was often referred to as Ojiisan, which means Grandfather, but sometimes he was officially referred to as the Chōja, the richest member of the community. He used to advise the smaller farmers about their interests, arbitrate their disputes, advance them money at need, and dispose of their rice for them on the best terms possible.

2. What is a tsunami?

Answer: A tsunami is an enormous tidal wave caused by earthquakes or by submarine volcanic action. These sudden risings of the sea occur at irregular intervals of centuries and have swept the shores of Japan from immemorial time. The term ‘tsunami’ is used by the Japanese to refer to these catastrophic events.

3. What did Hamaguchi do to save the villagers from the tsunami?

Answer: Hamaguchi Gohei saved the villagers from the tsunami by setting fire to his rice stacks. He noticed the sea acting strangely, moving away from the land, which he recognized as a sign of an incoming tsunami. To get the villagers to safety, he set his rice stacks on fire. The villagers, seeing the fire, rushed to the plateau to put it out. This act led them away from the village and up to the safety of the plateau just before the tsunami hit. His quick thinking and selfless act saved four hundred lives.

4. How did the villagers honor Hamaguchi after the disaster?

Answer: After the disaster, the villagers honored Hamaguchi by declaring him a god. They called him Hamaguchi DAIMYOJIN, thinking they could give him no greater honor. They built a temple to his spirit and worshipped him there. They also fixed a tablet bearing his name in Chinese text of gold above the front of the temple. Even after his death, his temple still stands, and the people still pray to his spirit for help in times of fear or trouble.

5. What is the setting of the story?

Answer: The story is set in a small village in Japan. The village is located on a plateau overlooking a bay and is surrounded by thickly wooded summits on three sides. The land slopes down from the plateau to the water’s edge, and this slope is terraced and used for rice cultivation. The village consists of ninety thatched dwellings and a Shinto temple. The most influential resident of the village, Hamaguchi Gohei, lives in a big thatched farmhouse at the edge of the plateau.

6. What was the aftermath of the tsunami?

Answer: The aftermath of the tsunami was devastating. The village and the fields were completely destroyed, with only two straw roofs left floating in the water. The terraces used for rice cultivation ceased to exist. The villagers were initially speechless and stunned by the loss. However, they soon realized that Hamaguchi’s act of setting fire to his rice stacks had saved their lives. They expressed their gratitude to him, and despite the loss of his wealth, Hamaguchi was content knowing he had saved four hundred lives.

7. What was Hamaguchi’s role in the village?

Answer: Hamaguchi Gohei was a highly respected and influential figure in the village. He had served as the village’s headman, or muraosa, for many years. The villagers affectionately referred to him as Ojiisan, meaning Grandfather, but he was also officially recognized as the Chōja, or the richest member of the community. Hamaguchi played a crucial role in advising the smaller farmers about their interests, arbitrating their disputes, lending them money when needed, and selling their rice for them under the best possible terms. His wisdom and foresight were instrumental in saving the lives of the villagers during the tsunami.

8. What is the philosophical reflection at the end of the story?

Answer: The story ends with a philosophical reflection on the concept of the soul. The peasants believed that the spirit of a person could be in many places at once, even during life. This idea is contrasted with Western ideas about the soul, with the suggestion that the peasants’ belief might contain some truth if one accepts the doctrine of the unity of all mind. The villagers’ worship of Hamaguchi as a god, even during his lifetime, is seen as a manifestation of this belief. The story suggests that this belief, while different from Western notions of the soul, might contain a deeper understanding of the nature of consciousness and the interconnectedness of all beings.

9. What is the significance of Hamaguchi’s farmhouse in the story?

Answer: Hamaguchi’s farmhouse holds a significant place in the story. It was a large thatched structure located at the edge of a small plateau overlooking the bay. The house was not just a dwelling but a symbol of Hamaguchi’s status and influence in the village. As the wealthiest member of the community and the village headman, Hamaguchi’s house was a place where he advised the smaller farmers, arbitrated their disputes, and helped them financially. Moreover, the location of the farmhouse played a crucial role in the story. From his house, Hamaguchi could oversee the entire village and the sea, which allowed him to spot the unusual retreat of the sea, a sign of the impending tsunami. Thus, the farmhouse was significant both as a symbol of Hamaguchi’s status and as a vantage point that enabled him to save the village.

10. Describe the geographical setting of the village.

Answer: The village in the story is located along the shores of Japan, nestled in a landscape that is both coastal and mountainous. The village proper consists of ninety thatched dwellings and a Shinto temple, all situated along the curve of the bay. The houses extend up the slope on either side of a narrow road that leads to Hamaguchi’s farmhouse. The farmhouse itself is situated on a small plateau overlooking the bay. This plateau is mostly used for rice cultivation and is surrounded on three sides by thickly wooded summits. From the plateau, the land slopes down to the water’s edge, creating a large green concavity. This slope, terraced and appearing like a massive flight of green steps when viewed from the sea, adds to the unique geographical setting of the village.

11. What event was the village preparing for on the autumn evening?

Answer: On the autumn evening, the village was preparing for a celebration. They had had a very successful rice harvest that year, and the villagers were planning to celebrate this bounty with a dance in the court of the ujigami, or the local Shinto deity. The preparations for the merry-making were in full swing, with festival banners fluttering above the roofs, strings of paper lanterns hung between bamboo poles, and the shrine decorated for the occasion. The villagers, especially the young people, were gathering in their brightly colored attire, adding to the festive atmosphere. This celebration was a significant event for the community, a time to come together and express their joy and gratitude for a successful harvest.

12. How did Hamaguchi predict the upcoming disaster?

Answer: Hamaguchi Gohei was able to predict the upcoming disaster due to his knowledge of the traditions of the coast and the stories told to him by his grandfather. On the day of the disaster, he noticed a long, slow, spongy motion of the ground, which he found unusual. This was followed by the sea acting strangely, moving against the wind and receding from the land. These unusual occurrences, combined with his knowledge of the coastal traditions, led him to understand that a tsunami was imminent.

13. What unusual phenomenon did Hamaguchi observe in the sea?

Answer: Hamaguchi observed an unusual phenomenon in the sea that indicated an impending disaster. He noticed that the sea had suddenly darkened and was behaving strangely. It seemed to be moving against the wind and was receding from the land. This was an unusual occurrence as no such ebb had been witnessed on that coast within the memory of living man. This phenomenon, along with the earlier unusual motion of the ground, led him to predict the upcoming tsunami.

14. What action did Hamaguchi take upon realizing the impending disaster?

Answer: Upon realizing the impending disaster, Hamaguchi took immediate and decisive action. He asked his grandson to light a torch, which he then used to set fire to his rice stacks in the fields. This act was significant as the rice stacks represented most of his invested capital. However, the sight of the burning rice stacks drew the villagers up to the plateau, away from the village and the coast. This action saved the lives of four hundred villagers when the tsunami struck, as they were safely on the plateau, away from the destructive force of the tsunami.

15. Why did Hamaguchi set fire to his rice stacks?

Answer: Hamaguchi set fire to his rice stacks as a way to save the villagers from the impending tsunami. He had observed unusual signs in the sea, indicating a massive tidal wave was approaching. Knowing that the villagers would rush to put out the fire, he used this as a tactic to get them to higher ground, away from the reach of the tsunami. His quick thinking and selfless act saved the lives of the villagers.

16. How did the villagers react to Hamaguchi’s actions initially?

Answer: Initially, the villagers were confused and astounded by Hamaguchi’s actions. They couldn’t understand why he would set fire to his rice stacks, which represented a significant part of his wealth. Some even thought he had gone mad. However, when they saw the approaching tsunami, they realized the wisdom behind his actions and were grateful for his foresight and selflessness.

17. What happened when the tsunami hit the village?

Answer: When the tsunami hit, it caused massive destruction. The village and most of the fields were wiped out, and even the terraces ceased to exist. All that remained were two straw roofs floating in the sea. The villagers, who had reached higher ground due to Hamaguchi’s actions, were left speechless at the sight of the devastation. However, they were alive and safe, thanks to Hamaguchi’s quick thinking and selfless act.

18. How did Hamaguchi’s actions save the villagers?

Answer: Hamaguchi’s actions saved the villagers by leading them to safety before the tsunami hit. He had noticed the sea behaving unusually, indicating an impending tsunami. To get the villagers to higher ground, he set fire to his rice stacks, knowing that the villagers would rush to put out the fire. As a result, when the tsunami hit, the villagers were on the plateau, safe from the destructive force of the wave. His quick thinking and selfless act saved the lives of four hundred villagers.

19. What was the extent of the destruction caused by the tsunami?

Answer: The tsunami caused massive destruction to the village and its surroundings. The village and most of the fields were completely wiped out. Even the terraces ceased to exist. All that remained of the homes around the bay were two straw roofs floating in the sea. The site of the village and temple was left bare, with only rocks and deep-sea wrack remaining. The devastation was so extensive that the area was unrecognizable after the tsunami.

20. What is the significance of the temple built for Hamaguchi?

Answer: The temple built for Hamaguchi signifies the immense respect and gratitude the villagers had for him. After the tsunami, the villagers declared Hamaguchi a god, calling him Hamaguchi DAIMYOJIN, and built a temple in his honor. This temple served as a place where they could express their reverence and gratitude towards him. They believed that his spirit was divine and prayed to him in times of fear or trouble. The temple still stands even a hundred years after his death, indicating the lasting impact of his actions on the community.

21. How did Hamaguchi’s life change after the tsunami?

Answer: After the tsunami, Hamaguchi’s life changed significantly. Despite losing his wealth in the disaster, he gained immense respect and reverence from the villagers. They declared him a god and built a temple in his honor. However, Hamaguchi continued to live simply in his old thatched home on the hill, maintaining his humble lifestyle despite the honor bestowed upon him.

22. What is the role of Hamaguchi’s grandson in the story?

Answer: Hamaguchi’s grandson plays a small but crucial role in the story. When Hamaguchi realizes the impending disaster, he asks his grandson to light a torch for him. The child does so promptly, enabling Hamaguchi to set his rice stacks on fire and alert the villagers to the danger. This quick action plays a part in saving the villagers from the tsunami.

23. How does the story reflect the cultural beliefs and practices of the Japanese people?

Answer: The story reflects the cultural beliefs and practices of the Japanese people in several ways. The villagers’ decision to honour Hamaguchi by declaring him a god and building a temple in his honor reflects the deep respect and reverence they have for those who act for the community’s benefit. The story also highlights the belief that the spirit of a person can be in many places at once, even during life, which is a concept different from Western ideas about the soul. This belief is reflected in the villagers’ worship of Hamaguchi’s spirit.

Additional MCQs

1. Who is Hamaguchi Gohei?

A. A miner
B. A journalist
C. A farmer
D. A riverboat pilot

Answer: C. A farmer

2. What did Hamaguchi Gohei do to save the villagers?

A. He set fire to the rice
B. He built a temple
C. He built a house
D. He wrote a letter

Answer: A. He set fire to the rice

3. How did the villagers honor Hamaguchi Gohei after the disaster?

A. They made him rich
B. They declared him a god
C. They built him a house
D. They gave him a medal

Answer: B. They declared him a god

4. What is the distinctive style of the author’s narratives?

A. Serious and melancholic
B. Humorous and satirical
C. Adventurous and thrilling
D. Romantic and poetic

Answer: B. Humorous and satirical

5. What is the author’s view on societal standards and expectations?

A. They are necessary for order
B. They camouflage and conceal uniqueness
C. They are a source of humor
D. They are a source of adventure

Answer: B. They camouflage and conceal uniqueness

6. What did the villagers build to honor Hamaguchi Gohei?

A. A house
B. A statue
C. A temple
D. A school

Answer: C. A temple

7. What is the name of the enormous tidal waves that occasionally hit the shores of Japan?

A. Tsunami
B. Typhoon
C. Cyclone
D. Hurricane

Answer: A. Tsunami

8. Who was Hamaguchi Gohei in his village?

A. A fisherman
B. The village headman
C. A school teacher
D. A blacksmith

Answer: B. The village headman

9. What did Hamaguchi Gohei do for the smaller farmers in his village?

A. He taught them farming techniques
B. He advised them about their interests and arbitrated their disputes
C. He provided them with seeds and farming tools
D. He helped them build their houses

Answer: B. He advised them about their interests and arbitrated their disputes

10. Where was Hamaguchi’s farmhouse located?

A. Near the sea
B. On a small plateau overlooking a bay
C. In the center of the village
D. On the top of a hill

Answer: B. On a small plateau overlooking a bay

11. What did the villagers believe about Hamaguchi Gohei after the disaster?

A. That he was a hero
B. That the ghost within him was divine
C. That he was a traitor
D. That he was a wizard

Answer: B. That the ghost within him was divine

12. What was the villagers’ perception of the mind or spirit of a person?

A. It can be in many places at the same instant
B. It is confined to the body
C. It is immortal
D. It is a source of power

Answer: A. It can be in many places at the same instant

13. What was the villagers’ reaction when Hamaguchi led the way to his house after the disaster?

A. They were silent
B. They cried and shouted
C. They followed him quietly
D. They refused to follow him

Answer: B. They cried and shouted

14. What did the villagers do when better times came after the period of distress?

A. They left the village
B. They rebuilt the village and built a temple to honor Hamaguchi
C. They celebrated with a feast
D. They built a monument in memory of the disaster

Answer: B. They rebuilt the village and built a temple to honor Hamaguchi

15. What did the villagers call Hamaguchi after declaring him a god?

A. Hamaguchi the Great
B. Hamaguchi DAIMYOJIN
C. Hamaguchi the Divine
D. Hamaguchi the Savior

Answer: B. Hamaguchi DAIMYOJIN

16. What did the villagers do at the temple they built for Hamaguchi?

A. They held annual festivals
B. They worshiped him there with prayer and offerings
C. They held community meetings
D. They kept his belongings as relics

Answer: B. They worshiped him there with prayer and offerings

Fill in the blanks

1. The enormous tidal waves that occasionally hit the shores of Japan are called __________.

Answer: Tsunami

2. Hamaguchi Gohei was the most influential resident of his village and served as its __________.

Answer: headman

3. Hamaguchi’s farmhouse was located on a small plateau __________ a bay.

Answer: overlooking

4. After the disaster, the villagers believed that the __________ within Hamaguchi Gohei was divine.

Answer: ghost

5. The villagers thought of the mind or spirit of a person as something which, even during life, can be in __________ places at the same instant.

Answer: many

6. After the disaster, Hamaguchi led the way to his __________.

Answer: house

7. When better times came after the period of distress, the villagers did not forget their debt to Hamaguchi Gohei and declared him a __________.

Answer: god

8. The villagers called Hamaguchi __________ after declaring him a god.

Answer: DAIMYOJIN

9. At the temple they built for Hamaguchi, the villagers __________ him there with prayer and offerings.

Answer: worshiped

10. The villagers built a temple to the __________ of Hamaguchi Gohei.

Answer: spirit

11. The villagers were preparing for a __________ to celebrate their rice harvest.

Answer: festival

12. Hamaguchi Gohei observed the village festivities from the __________ of his house.

Answer: balcony

13. The old man felt a long, slow, spongy motion which was actually an __________.

Answer: earthquake

14. After the earthquake, Hamaguchi’s attention was suddenly diverted by the sense of something not knowingly __________.

Answer: perceived

15. The villagers saw a white horror of __________ raving over the place of their homes.

Answer: sea

16. Hamaguchi Gohei saved four hundred lives by setting fire to the __________.

Answer: rice

17. After the disaster, the villagers prostrated themselves in the dust before __________.

Answer: Hamaguchi Gohei

18. When better times came, the villagers built a __________ to the spirit of Hamaguchi Gohei.

Answer: temple

19. The villagers worshiped Hamaguchi Gohei in the temple with __________ and offerings.

Answer: prayer

20. The villagers still __________ to the ghost of the good old farmer to help them in time of fear or trouble.

Answer: pray

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