The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-17
From ue Honolulu Friend, November i.
Interesting from JapAu.


Several shipwrecked Japanese being in Honolulu
we requested one of them, who has acquired
excellent knowledge OF our language, To make US
visit, accompanied by one OF his countrymen,
lately brought hither. We shall first introduce
our readers 10 the interpreter, John Mung. This
person, with four Others was taken, ten years ago.
from dcsols lie and uninhabited island, where they
had been cast, and where they had lived for one
hundred and eighty days fowls. They
We're brought 10 Honolulu by Capt. w. II. Whit
field, OF Fair Haven, who then commanded
whale ship in the Pacific. Four of the number re-
manned here, one having died. John Mung
taken by Capt. w. to the United States, where he
learned the cooper's trade, and enjoyed a good OPP
poriunity for going TO echoo. His education is
highly respectable. He has been one whaling voy
age, and then, with the multitude, went To Cali
tonia There, not succeeding to his expec tatons,
he came to the islands, INDUCING the long-che
rished hope that he might obtain a passage TO his
native shores. II is his ambition To command a
junk, and navigate her with compass and quad
rant, and show his japanese countrymen that the
+" outside barbarians" understand navigation
which science he has acquired sufficient for all
practical purposes. Would that his fond wish
might be gratfed.
On MIR. Mung's arrival at Honolulu, he learned
that there a fresh arrival of his shipwrecked
countrymen, and for whom he is prepared to act
interpreter. BY his aid we learned the following
facts respecting the Japanese, taken from junk.
by Capt. Clark, of the Henry Kneeland, on the
I'D Of April, in 45o north latitude, and 1859 east
longitude.
Teenzumolly the name of the junk, COM
nunueu Dy Shpt husky, WIFI MT. hckuZefO LOT
mate. There were thirteen, all told, on board the
Junk. We may well state that Kekuzero, the
mate, has furnished us the minutes from his "log."
and we have no doubt that he has noted down the
facts in true Japanese nautical style. But to pro-
coed, Mr. Mung acting interpreter, n I'd Mr..
Kekuzero debating to him. The Ieenzumolly was
owned by soldier nobleman, in town situated
in the southeast side of q small island southwest
from Nippon. The name of the island-our
duh to catch the sound, although part of the
name we aver, was Nipung-.. The town is twice
the size of Honolulu; the people are farmers and
tshermen only two junks were owned there. but
plenty OF fishing boats rice is the principal pro-
duct, besides all kinds of vegetable products Both
junks were owned by the Honorable MIR. Sou
mung. The Teenzumolly had taken cargo of
rice TO Yeddo, discharged the same. received pay
ment, partly in silver and partly in paper money,
1--WE have seen specimens Of both as for the paper
money it appears az well as any we ever saw,) and
started on her homeward passage ordinarily Of only
three days, but was ovcrtaken by adverse winds.
Their supply of water exhausted at the end Of
sixteen days, and their rice at the end of twenty
six. They were then reduced to some refuse fish
scales and occasional showers, but by the merciful
of Divine Providence all were preserved until,
at the end ofsixty-six days. their junk, rudderess
and dismasted, fell in with the IL. Kneeland Capt.
Clark, who took them all on board his vessel and
supplied their wants They cherish the most CRATE
iul feelings towards Capt. Clark and his ships COM
pany. Subsequently, Capt. Clark delivered six Of
them to the Russian authorities at Petropauaski,
under the promise that they should be returned to
Japan. Two taken by Capt. Sherman, Of
the Nimrod, and two by Capt. Divoll, of the Ma
ringo.
There is an impression abroad that Japanese, if
taken back TO their country, will be put to death.
We positively assured by Mr. kekuzero,
through the inter prefer, Mr. Mung, that this is not
the fact. He asserts that, should any vessel take
them back to their native village, the inhabitants
would rejoice to hail the vessel and would put on
board supply Of fresh recruits, without charge
We hope to learn that some man Of war,
merchant vessel, whale ship is bound thither on
the benevolent errand of restoring these unfortun
ate persons to their country and home. Referring
to their home, leads to the remark that seven OF
these are married, and their families reside In the
village where their junk was owned.
Our Yankee propensity OF asking questions was
wonderfully excited in our interview with MIR.
Kekuzero, for we found that he could furnish much
yaluable information respecting the Japanese
islands, and the customs of the people The fol-
lowing facts we record, respecting his native vii
age, containing sixty idol temples, which, accord
ing to his account, are full of gods. Every temple
is presided over by priest, who acts er oticio as
school teacher. The children of all, both rich and
poor, attend school together, and nearly all the in
habitants read and write. The people are all
taxed for the support of the temples-every far
paying about five bushels of rice, per acre.
We asked, show do the laws punish the theft
Our informant replies: "For the first and second
offence the thief Is imprisoned, but for the third
his head is cut straight off,
I" How do they punish the murderer" " His
head is cut off direct" (were the words of the in.
tcrpreter.)
As for marriage, man is allowed but one wife;
but if she does not please her husband he can send
her back to her fathers house, with the consent OF
the old people; otherwise the husband must sup
port her.
Touching the ideas of future state, we learned
that the bad people believed to go to a bad
place after death, and the good to a good place.
When person dies record is made OF his name,
and it is hung up in the house of his friends, and
the household have stated periods for praying TO
the spirit of the departed. In Japan there are six
principal sacred days, including New Year, which
occurs in January.