The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-13


Several shipwrecked Japanese being in Honolu.
lu, we requested one of them, who has acquired
an excellent knowledge Of our language to make
lately brought hl,Ser We As shall III hrst Introduce
our readers to the interpreter, John Mung This
person. with four others, was taken, ten years ago,
from desolate and uninhabited island, where they
had been cast, and where they had lived for $50
lulu by Capt. w. H. Whitfield, of Fair Haven,
who then commanded a whale ship in the Pacitc.
-Four Of the number remained here, one having
died. John Mung was taken by Capt. w. to the
United States, where he learned the cooper's
trade, and enjoyed COED opportunity for going to
school, His education is highly respectable He
mas been one whaling voyage and then with the
ing 10 his expectations, he came TO the islands, in
dulging the long cherished hope that he might OBJ.
tain apassage to his native shores. II is his amb-
non to command Sunk, and navigate her with
compass and quadrant, and show his Japanese
countrymen that the "outside barharians," )" under
stand navigation-which science he has acquired
sufficient for all practical purposes Would that
his ford wish might be gratiiied!
On MIR. Mung's arrival in Honolulu, he learned
that there was fresh arrival of his shipwrecked
countrymen, and for whom he is prepared to act
as interpreter. BY his aid we learned the following
facts respecting the japanese taken from junk,
by Capt. Clark, ofthe Henry Kneeland, on the
22d of April, in 45 deg. N. L., and I55 dag +. L.
Teenzum0lly was the name of the Junk, com.
manded by Capt. Husky, with Mr.. kekuzero, for
mate. There were thirteen, all told, on board the
junk. We may as well state that, Kekuzero, the
mate, has furnished us the minutes from his "logn
and we have no doubt he has noted down the
facts in true Japanese nautical style. But to
proceed, Mr. Mung, acting as interpreter, and
M. Kekuzero debating TO him. The Teenzumoly
was owned by soldier or nobeman, in town
situated in the s. f. side of small island s. W.
from Niphon. The name of the island, our ear
was too dull TO catch the sound, although part of
the name we aver. was NipaRg-.- The town is
twice the size of Honolulu-the people are farmers
and fishermen--only two junks were owned there,
but plenty of fishing boats-rice is the principal
product, besides all kinds OF vegetable products.
Both junks were owned by the Honorable Mr..
Soumung The. Teenzumolly had taken a cargo
of rice 10 Yeddo, discharged the same, received
payment, partly N silver and partly in paper money,
1--WE have seen specimens of both-as for the paper
money, it appears well as any we ever saw.) and
started on her homeward passage, ordinarily of only
three days, but was oyertaken by adverse winds.
Their supply OF water was 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
care of Divine Providence all were preserved un
I'll, at the end sixty six days, their junk, rudder-
less and dismasted, fell in with the FL. Kneeland
Cept. Clark, who took them all on board his ves-
sci and supplied their wants. They cherish the
most grateful feelings towards Capt. Clark and his
ships company. Subsequently Capt. Clark deliv-
cred elk of them TO the Russian authorities at
Petropaulaskl, under the promise that they should
be returned to Japan. Two were taken by Capt.
sherman, of the Nlmrod, and two by Cant. Diyoil
of the Maringo.
There is an impression abroad, that japanese, il
taken back to their country will be put 10 death.
We are positively assured by Nh. Kekuzero, through
the Interpreter, Mr. Mung, that this is not the fact
He asserts that should any vessel take them back
to their native village, the inhabitarts would re-
joice to hail the vessel, and would put on board
supply OF fresh recruits, without charge. We hope
soon 10 learn that some man Of war, hant ves-
sci, or whale ship is bound thther, on the benevo
lent errand OF restoring these unfortunate pers ,ns
TO their country and home. Referring 10 their
home, leads 10 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 Acited in our interview with Mr.. Ke-
ku2ero, Tor we found that he could furnish much
valuable information respecting the Japanese
islands, and the customs of the people. The fol.
lsge, containing sixty idol templcd, which accord
ing 10 his account are full Of gods. Every temple
10 presided over by priest, VINO acts er obict0 as
school teacher. The children OF ALL both rich and
poor, attend school together, and nearly all the in
ha blsaDts can read and write. The people are all
taxed for the support of the temples. Every far
mer paying about five bushels oil rice, per acre.
We asked, how do the laws punish the thiel -
Our informant replies, "For the first and second
The thief imprisoned, but for the 'hird his
How do they punish the murderer" "lIis
head is cut of Direct" (were the words of the in
Az for marriage, a man is allowed but one wife,
but ii she dees not please her husband he can send
her back TO her fathers house, with the consent of
the old people, otherwise the husband must support
her.
Touching their ideas of future state, we learned
that the bad people believed 90 TO bad place
after death, and the good TO good place. When
a person dies a record is made Of his name, and il
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 prin-
cipsl sacred days, including New Year, which oc-
ours IN January.