New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-15
REVELATIONS OF JAPAN.
Science. Industry and Agriculture OF the
Japanese.


The scientific knowledge of the japanese
evidently came originally from China, and grad
ually spread itself over all the islands. Later.
Japan took her share of the further culture which
China received from Hndostan, and felt the IN
fucnce of Buddhism, which was not confined
entirely to the continent thirst for knowledge
always characterized the japanese, and they
have always endeavorcd to profit ~ their inter
course with the Chinese and Dutch. Chinese
writings printed at the instance OF the Christian
missionaries in China, have found their way to
Japan and many scientific works which appeared
IN the Netherlands have been translated into
japanese by native scholars. Since the begin
ming of the thirteenth century, the art OF printing
has been carried on IN Japan by means Of wooden
blocks. (Aylography,) and IN this manner works
are still multiplied in the chief cities of Jeddo
and Mako The japanese exhibit great par.
tality for the natural sciences, medicine. mathe.
mates and astronomy In all studies and men,
tai exercises they giveevldence of great patience
and perseverance, Instruction IN reading and
writing is univerSal-which is favorable token
of the culture Of the entire nation.
They have attained much skill IN the art Of
painting, which appears 10 be tavorIte employ
ment with them The walls and ceilings OF
their rooms are generally adorned with paint
ings on paper. The pictures, though brilliant IN
color, are careful copies OF nature. representing
flowers, birds, landscapes, Stlllllte, or domestic
occurrences. Their great fault Is total want
of perspective, and an absence OF proportion be-
d, tod NJ
matter how splendid IN color or how welldrawn
single object may be, As soon as other objects
are Introduced, all idea OF proportion vanlShes ,
and for this reason alone, their pictures are nm
pleasant TO a civilized eye.
The japanese method of lackcring Is deserv-
edly celebrated their varnish surpasseS every
other The Japanese porcelain, so remarkable
for It's hneness and transparency, was formerly
IN great demand in Europe. In ,he preparation
of leather the inhabitants are also skilled. The
sken Stufs, with their manifold embroidery of
flowers and the astonishing tnenesS and regular.
ity of the thread, attest 20 what a high degree OF
skill they have brought the arts of spinning, weay-
ING and dyeing The beautiful baskets and mats
which they weave also show that theyhaye 10y no
means remained stationary since their first inter.
course with Europeans. but have made import
ant advances IN industry. In TACT, the whole pop
ulaiion of thirty millions possesses such un.
versal and varied knowledge of all branches Of
art, that 1t is not to be wondered at that their
trade with Holland and China has not been re-
sumed Of late years.
The mines furnish gold, lron copper, argent
ferrous copper ore, and also coal, arsenic and
some few precious stones though the latter are
notused as ornaments the japanese wearing no
costly rings, bracelets or necklaces. Porcelain
clay. alum and birthstone are also found IA the
nelghborhood Of the volcanoes Silver is very
scarce, and zinc, TN and lead almost unknown
In regard to the knowledge OF mines and mining
operations, as well as the smelling OF the ores
the Japanese are far behind the Europeans The
copper mines yield about 10000 cwt. Of copper
annually, one-thrd Of which is made into those
fine copper bars, which the Dutch and Chinese
purchase IN trade The IRON b, used m foundrles,
and m The manufacture Of arms The weapons
made by the Japanese are OF remarkable excel
ence, hut cannot be exported.
Since the japanese have so readily seized upon
all opportunities for improving their skill IN all
industrial arts, their deficient knowledge OF MN
ing must be attributed 10 the ignorance Of the
Dutch, who have no mines IN their own country.
Several natives Of Holland, at the request Of the
japanese Government remained some time AZ
JeddO N order 10 instruct the japanese IN the
use of ire arms, the manufacture o. powder, aud
the making of muskeis The japanese, IN their
thirst for knowledge, have never failed 70 draw
profit out of all their limitations Of European art
Their quickness and perseverance have been EN-
ployed to such advantage that they are now able
almost entirely to dispense with the products Of
other countries
Among their means OF subsistence are he
flesh Of wild and tame fowls, deer, Wild and do
nestle swine, &c. Oxen, which are 50 useful
70 the Japanese farmer are held in high honor
and never slaughtered for food This IS N fact
prohibited upon religious (Buddhist) grounds.
Nearly all the products OF the sea are used a.
food. Sea-grass and other kinds Of marine
plants are brought on the table, and with shell
fish. crabs and fishes, form the cclcacles Of
Japanese feast Fish Is one Of the principal ar
licles OF food, not excepting whales, and even
the bones are grated or chopped into fine pieces
and used as sIde-dish. I ne ordinary daily
dishes are made OF rice and -four In agrcul-
ture even the smallest piece Of soil is used, and
the industrious farmer cannot relax MS laoors
since IN Japan everything Is done at regular
tines, without regard to the state Of the weather
The japanese have brought the cultivation OF
vegetables and flowers 10 q pitch Of art which
IS not dreamed Of IN Europe and would be
considered fabulous. The number of yegeta
hles Is small, bu, they are 80 nurured that some
klnds-onions and radshes Tor Instance-aitain
the most astonishing size
The plum-tree, which IS great favorite, u so
trained and cultivated that the blossoms are as