Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-05-05
GuuptF'a GlurksbntgR rgiatsr
From the National Intslligeucer,
The Emnira of Iannn.

From the National Intelligepcer.
The Empire of Japan.
AS any thing which relates to Japan at
the present time may be interesting, I
send you the following concise sketch of
that kingdom. 1t Is called by the natives
NIPuoSs and was founded about six hun
dred and sixty fveyears before Christ, by
Simmu.. From him to Sinzakin there APP
pears to have been si1ty-one Emperors.
After this period, in the year 1142, a
change took place. From this time a
double chronology commences, including
the reigns of the Dearios and Cubos. The
Dearios were military officers, and at one
period completely usurped the power Of
the Emperors but general by the name
of Jeretimo being crowned, succeeded in
depriYing the Dearios of all military pow.
er. AT the present time the kingdom OF
Japan is governed by an Emperor With
full military powers, a ,Deario with full
civil powers, and Cubic, or prime minis
ter, who has authority over certain cities,
their parliament, DC.
The kingdom of Japan consists of three
large and thirty or forty smaller islands,
situated off the coast of China. The
largest of these Islands is Niphon,
the next Jesse. On the Island of Bungo,
southwest of Tonsa, is the city of Nang-
aschi. and near that city is the little arti-
fetal island Disna, on which Dutch fac
tory is built,
Jeddo, or Yeddo, the capitol of the
whole empire, is situated in the midst Of
fine plain, in the province Of Musaca.
IL is built in the form of crescent, and
Int cd In o1, yat1. hty
nails, their banks being planted with rows
of beautiful trees. The city is not sur
rounded, as most eastern cities are, by
wall, but has strong castle to defend it.
The river Tongag waters it, and supplies
the castle ditch and, being divided into
five streams, has bridge over each. The
public buildings are on magnificent
scale. The imperial palace is formed by
three ciuctures, or circular piles of build
ings, and enclosing many streets, courts,
apartments, pavilions, guardhouses, gates,
drawbridges, gardens, canals, DC. In it
resides the Emperor and his family, the
royal domestcs, tributary princes and
their retinues, the Minister'S of State, ma
ny other officers of Government, and
strong garrison. The walls of this mag
nifcent palace are built of frcestone,
Withow cement, and the stones prodigious-
ly large. The whole pile was originally
covered with gilt tiles, which gave it a
grand and very beautiful appearance
Many of the stately apartments arc form
ed and altered at pleasure, by movable
screens. The principal apartments are
the Hall of Attendance, the Council
Chamber, Hall of Thousand Mats, &c.
The city is under the rule of two Gov
errors, who rule year each
The next largest city is Meaco 1t is
also royal city, and is situated on lake
near the middle Of the island of Niphon,
and surrounded by mountains, which give
a remarkable and delightful prospect to
the whole; the circumjacen country be-
tween the city and the mountains is COW
cred with temples, Sepulchres, &C., &C.,
and is embellished with q variety or orch
ards, groves, cascades, and purling
streams. Three considerable rivers wat
er this fertile plain, and unite their
streams in the centre of the city, where a
magnificent stone bridge facilitates the
communication between the different parts
OF the city. A strong castle defends the
town; Il is sic hundred yards in lenqth, has
tower in the centre, and is surrounded
by two bitches, the one dry, the other full
OF water. This splendid city is twenty
miles long and nine wide within the SUI
burbs, which are rs well populated as the
city. The number of the inhabitants of
the city proper is supposed to be 500, 900, !
The universities, colleges, temples, &C.,
are almost Incredible in number and mag
nifcence. 1t contains twelve capital or
principal streets, in the centre of which
are the royal palaces, superbly built of
marble, and adorned with gardens, orch
ards. pavilions. terraces, groves, &c,
The next principal town is Ozeaco. It
u deemed the principal seaport, it is very
populous, and has an army Of so, 900 men
Gl,pays ready at the disposal aud command
of the Emperor. 1t is near fifteen miles
in circumference.
The city of Nangascke is the Japanese
naval depot; but as they have not yet
found any use for navy, their vessels are
only in the rough material, and stored
away for emergencies.
The kokansa or prison is here. Tho
name means, in the Japanese, hell it has
one hundred dungeons and cages, The
history of these few cities gives fair out
line OF the whole empire. Their private
dwellings are small but neat, and orna.
msnted with ANAL gardens in this they
excel, as they arc the very best of horti-
culturists. A few feet of ground are
turned to the best advantage, as the Japa-
nese understand perfectly the art of
dwarfng plants, trees, fruits and flowers.
They use neither tables, bedsteads, nor
chairs; but sit, eat, and sleep, like most
Eastern nations, ON mats.
Almost the first accomplishment learn
ed by them is the art and grace of suicide;
the child in the nursery sIabs itself with