Worcester daily spy., 1851-08-15
TIE DAILY SPY.
The Institutions of the Japanese


A Dutch traveller named Lants, who resided for
some time IN the trading port of Japan has published
work entitled, JapGR in Sjiae Staatskaadige en-
6Hrgertyke Inrigtingen,' (Japan in It's Political and
civil lnstltutlons,) which contains much that is new
and curious, respecting that mysterious Empire. We
have translated and arranged for the Tribune the
most interesting portions of his revelations. They
will amply repay perusal.-.N Y. Tribune.
The Japanese, like many other races, connect the
fabulous period Of their history with their religion
They consider the ruler Of the Empire to be descen-
ded from divinity, who came down from Heaven
upon the japanese Islands, which he made fertile
and populated instructing the inhabitants in the arts
of life and the doctrines of religion. In order that
this supernatural race shall not become extinct, the
Emperor Is allowed twelve wives, and is succeeded
by his eldest son. From this sanctity oforg is de-
rived the custom of never wearing the same clothes
more than once. The dishes and cups in which food
and drink handed to him are also used but once;
and likewise the cooking implements. Nevertheless.
these vessels are not OF vanished wood, which is
mostly used throughout Japan but OF clay or porce-
LAIN, which, after used, is shivered to pieces
The present reigning family dates back to the sew
enth century before Christ, and numbers upwards of
l24 rulers
The second son of the .lfikado (Emperor) was
formerly his fathers chief military officer; but af-
terwards of the rulers, of love for his third
second and third sons In the course of few gen.
erations, SO much jealousy arose between the alter
nate Generals, that IN their dissentions, the Emper-
or himself was robbed of the greater part of his
power, and since the year 1885, has been little more
than nominal ruler. However, he is still consid-
cred as holy aud as absolute in power, though the
| Sjogum, or Crown-Genera, takes his place in all
civil affairs.
Each chief city or province of Japan has two
tJOVprn0rS ieIIa fhnr vaIta
year. The one not in office remains in Jeddo the
Capital City of Japan, where he receives from his
colleague regular communications concerning every-
thl that occurs, SO that he is ready to resume the
authority at the appointed time. Every Governor
bas two Secretaries, who divide the departments of
justice between them, and control the subordinate
civil officers. During the absence of the Governor,
Secretaries and Justices in the appointed province,
their wives and children left in Jeddo as hosta-
ges for the faithful performance of their duty. The
Pflnces are subject to the rules the Govern
ors, spending year on their domain and year in
Jeddo alternately. During their absence from the
Capital, they obliged to live in the greatest Sc
clnson, leaving lhelI Residence only stated occa-
sions. Ali their duties are arranged beforehand
that they are mere automata action. Besides this,
they are surrounded with secret spies, whoreport all
their movements TO the Capital
The government of the cities, at least at Nagasa-
kI, the trading port Of Japan is in the hands of nine
Bnrgesses, whose office is hereditary. They can
only Judge by unanimous vote. Under them are
the Oftonas who have charge OF street or quarter
and who also direct the police and decide arbitra-
tlons Under these again are the Kasiras, who take
care of single houses and families. In Nagasaki as
well through the whole Empire, each street is ia
Dutch yards in length, with door at each end, 50
that all communications with the rest of the city
may be cut off Each street has a hundred or more
houses; and lis end is small shrine on stone pe-
destal, shaped like lantern, and containing two or
three images of the gods There are, aso in each
street, several watch houses which at night and on
all extraordinary occasions are provided with
watch, chosen by turns from among the inhabitants
ofthe street. The japanese consider the watchman
holy, and opposition to him, dcule of his office,
are considered capital ollenses, and punished with
death. In times of danger, each family furnishes
one man; five men from the adjoining houses form
troop; and twentyh five troops march together under
the command of the Kasras and the Ouonas.
The head of the family is responsible for his chill
dren and associates, matter who the latter may
be; besides which, every FIVE adjoinning families
are responsible for each other. 1t is therefore the
duty Of each head of family to take notice of the
affairs of his neighbor, and acquant the Kasira with
everything that happens. If this is not promptly
done he is involved in his neig ghbors guilt and suf-
fers the same punishment, even if it be banishment
or death. This universal responsibility prevents
many crimes and reasonable plots, and executions
seldom take place. The Judge disregards all mit-
eating circumstances in the exercise Of his Offices
but he is careful to punish only when the laws have
been knowingly and wiliuly broken. Nowhere is
there greater security of person and property than
IN Japan. This cunning system, founded on recip-
rocal espionage and reciprocal responsibility, binds
together, as with an intricate net high and low,
princes and subjects. From the arteries of the body
polite, it branches ont into the finest hair-drawn
channels in every department Of trade and society
Not only Princes, Ministers of State and other
high officers transmit their station TO their eldest
sons but officers, tradesmen and mechanics gen.,
eral. Those who have may adopt brother
or some other blood relation, person of ln-
ferior rank Princes, however, require the consent
OF the Emperor. singular example of adoption
happened during the reign ofthe Emperor Josi Mune.
The Plince of Figo was murdered in the Imperial
Palace on festival day, leaving behind neither
lineal nor an adopted son. When the Emperor was
informed of this he ordered that everything should
happen as if the Prince was only wounded. The
corpse therefore seated i'll litter and carried to
the prncely residence of Figo, where messengers
every day arrived from the Emperor, inquiring how
he Jared. Finally, messenger communicated to
the corpse the imperial permission to adopt his youn-
gest brother, who ordered to appear before the
Emperor and be installed successor, even if the
Prince should in the meantime have died Of his
wounds. The Prince Of Flgo was therefore in
wardly dead. according to the Japanese method of
speech, while he was 'outwardly' still in life. In
this manner an official sometimes lives two three
years outwardly,' after he has actually died. This
happens particularly when he has left debts at his
DEATH His office is then administered by another,
who receives only portion Of the salary, the re-
mainder Of which goes toward discharging his La
bilities.
Hs# (Coneladei to-mo'row.b