human
And therefore, continued Asakichi,
gpt
Because the son will make those offerings of food and drink without which the spirit would suffer?
human
It is not only that. There are duties much more important than the making of offerings. It is because every man needs some one to love him after he is dead. Now you will understand.
gpt
Only your words, I replied,
human
I? Oh no! I myself _am_ a son,--a younger son. My parents are still alive and strong, and my brother is caring for them. If I am killed, there will be many at home to love me,--brothers, sisters, and little ones. It is different with us soldiers: we are nearly all very young.
gpt
For how many years, I asked,
human
For one hundred years.
gpt
Only for a hundred years?
human
Yes. Even in the Buddhist temples the prayers and the offerings are made only for a hundred years.
gpt
Then do the dead cease to care for remembrance in a hundred years? Or do they fade out at last? Is there a dying of souls?
human
No, but after one hundred years they are no longer with us. Some say they are born again; others say they become kami, and do reverence to them as kami, and on certain days make offerings to them in the toko.