Eastern times., 1852-04-22
The Islands of japan.

AS Japan is exciting considerable at.en-
tion in the public mind at present, we have
thought that brief history of country so
little known among u.s. would be interesting.
The expedition 10 sail from this country in
April, it seems is TO "effect landing at Jed
do, at all hazards The following article
on Japan and Jeddo as capital, is from an
English work, printed about half a century
| ago.
Japan, large country in the most east
ern part of Asia, with the title OF an empire
1t is composed of several Islands, the prlnci-
pal of which are Niphon and Saikokf, or
Sacock. 1t was discovered by the Portu-
guese in 1912, being cast upon shore by
| tempest. The whole empire is divided into
seven principal countries, which are subd.
vlded in 70 provinces. 1t is the richest
country in the world for gold, and the air
and water are very good. 1t produces a
great deal OF rice, which they reap in Sep
tember; millet, wheat aud barley, which
| they get in May Cedars are common, and
SO large that they are proper for the masts of
ships, and columns for temples. They have
large quantity OF porcelain, silk, and skins.
as also red pearls, which are not in less es-
TEEN than the white. In short, Japan is ac-
! counted one of the best countries in Asia.-
The inhabitants are naturally Ingenious and
have happy memory but their manners
are dlamelricaly opposite to those Of the
Europeans. Our common drinks are cold,
and theirs are all hot; we uncover the head
out of respect. and they the feet; we are
fond OF white teeth, and they of black;
ride horseback on the left side, and they on
the right and they have a language SO pc
cullar, that il is understood by no other ma
ton. The sciences are highly esteemed
among them, and they have several schools
at different places. Those they study most,
are arithmetic, rhetoric, poetry, history, and
astronomy. Some of their schooners at
Meaco have each three four thousand
scholars. They treat the women with great
severity, and punish adultery with death
yet man may take as many wives as lie
pleases. The Japanese are naturally good
soldiers, and skilful at shooting with a bow;
however, as they inhabit nothing but islands
they are seldom al war with their neighbors.
They formerly carried on trade with the
neighborlng countries but now all commu-
nication with others is forbidden, especially
with Christians; Tor they do not look upon
the Dutch TO be such. Their Emperor is
called Dalro-and in the minority of one of
them, / $50, when they had civil wars. one
of The competitors Of The crown assumed the
ecclesiastical government, retaining the same
title; while the other, who ruled in civil af-
| fairs, was called Cuha-and things have re-
mained on the same footing to this day.
The Dairo is the chief Emperor. and con-
ters the dignity upon the other, as if he were
| his vassal.
He resides at Meaco and has no lands,
but he has right OF selling titles and digni-
ties; and the ldolalrous priests make greaT
contributions. He wears black habit, and
cap upon his head. His feet must never
touch the ground, nor must he ever be ex
posed to The rays of the SUM- He never cuts
his hair or his beard, nor his nails i; and all
his vlctuals must be dressed in new vessels.
When he goes Abroad he is carried by four
teen men, in litter, surrounded with cur
talns, SO that he may see and not he seen.
He has generally twelve wives, who has
each a palace, with singing and dancing
women for his diversion. He has also an
unlimited number of concubines. His pal
ace is adorned with 365 idols. The re gion
OF the whole country is Paganism; but there
are two different sects. There were once
great number of Christians in different parts
of the empire; hut in 1893, they underwent
great prosecutions, inasmuch, that they were
all rooted out of japan. The cause Of this
was the opposition of the priests; the haugh-
~ behavior of The Portuguese, they not allow
ing several wives; and The persuasions OF
the Dutch, who told them that their emperor
would become a slave 10 the Pope. The
emperor of Japan is sovereign monarch
and all the petty Kings over his vassals.-
HIS army generally consists of 100000 foot
10000 horse, exclusive of those maintained
by his vassals. His ordinary revenue is i'm.
mense. The palace of the emperor is a,
! Jeddo, in the Island of Niphon. and it is The
capital of the whole. The only European.
that trade with Japan are the Dutch, anc
whenever their ships arrive, they take ava,
their guns, sails, and helms, and carry then
, on shore ill they are ready to return back
In the absence of the ships, the factors in
small peninsula are not suffered SO much a
a lighted candle in their houses in the night
y time.
n The merchandise which the Dutch carr
to Japan, are spices, sugars, silks, linen an
woolen cloth, elephants teeth, and haber
> dashy wares; for which they receive golt
y silver, cabinets, and other japaned and lac
d quered wares. The Japanese have neithe
) tables, beds, nor chairs. but they sit and Ii
on carpets and mats, in the manner of th
J. Turks.
q Jeddo, the capital of the islands of Japar
a where the emperor resides. 1t is open o