The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-05-06
From the National Intelligencer.
The Empire of Japan.

Messrs. Gales d SeQtOn As any thing
which relates to Japan at the present time
may be interesting, send the following con-
else sketch of that kingdom. It is called
by the natives Niphon, and was founded about
six hundred and sixty-ive years before
Christ, by Simmu. From him to Sinzakin
there appears to have been sixty-one Empe-
rors. After this period, in the year 1l42, a
change took place. From this time dOu-
BILE chronology commences, including the
reigns Of the Dearios and Cubos' The Dear
los were military officers, and at one period
completely usurped the power of the Empe-
rors; but General by the name of Jereti-
mo being crowned, succeeded in depriving
the Dearios of all military power. At the
present time the kingdom of Japan is gov
erned by an Emperor with full military
powers, Deario with full civil powers, and
Cubo, or prime minister, who has authori-
ty over certain cities, their Parliaments. &c.
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 J esso.
On the Island of Bungo, southwest of Ton
sa, is the city of Nangasehi, and near that
city is the little artificial island Disna, on
which Dutch factory is built.
Jeudo, or Yeddo, the capital of the whole
empire, is situated in the midst of a fine
plain, in the province Of Musace. 1t is built
in the form of a crescent, and intersected in
almost every street by canals, their banks be-
ing planted with rows of beautiful trees
The city is not surrounded, 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 di-
vided into FIVE streams, has q bridge ovel
each. The public buildings are on a mag
nifcent scale. The imperial palace is form
ed by three cinctures, or circular piles O
buildings, and enclosing many streets, courts
apartments, pavilions, guard-houses, gates
draWbridges, gardens, canals, &c. In it re
sides the Emperor and his family, the roya
domestics, tributary princes and their re
tinues, the Ministers of State, many othel
officers Of Government, and strong garri
son. The walls of this magnificent palac
are tuilt of freestone, 10ithOut cement, ant
the stones prodigiously large. The who'll
) pile was originally covered with gilt titles
which gave it very grand and beautiful ap
pearance. Many of the stately apartment
are formed and altered at pleasure, by nova
bic screens. The principal apartments ar
; the Hall of Attendance, the Council Cham
! Der, Hall of Thousand Mats, &c.
r The city is under therule of two governors
who rule year each.
The next largest city is Meaco. 1t is ais
! royal city, and is situated on a lake nea
! the middle of the Island of Niphon, and SUI
t rounded by mountains, which give remark
: able and delightful prospect to the whole
t the circumjacent country between the cit
e and the mountains is covered with temples
sepulchres, &C., &C., and is embellished wit
r variety Of orchards, groves, cascades, an
e purling streams. Three considerable river
: water this fertile plain, and unite thei
: streams in the centre Of the city, where
: magnificent stone bridge facilitates the CON
s munication between the different parts {
e the country. A strong castle defends th
/, town; it is six hundred yards in length, ha
8 tower in the centre, and is surrounded b
e two bitches, the one dry, the other full {
+ water. This splendid city is twenty mile
long and nine wide within the suburbs
! which are as well populated as the city. Th
t number Of the inhabitants of the city propC
: is supposed to be $4,000. The univers
+ ties, colleges, temples, &c., are almost il
; credible in number and magni6cence.
9 contains twelve capital or principal streets
|, in the centre of which are the royal palaces
S superbly built Of marble, and adorned wit
: gardens, orchards, payiliOns, terraces, grove
e &c.
d The next principal town is 0zearO. It
II deemed the chief seaport, is very populou
o and has an army Of $4,000 men alWay
a ready at the disposal and command of Il
IS Emperor. It is near fifteen miles in circun
ference.
The city Of Nangascke is the Japanel
! naval depot; but as they have not yet fOun
any use for navy, their vessels aFe only
the rough material, and stored away f
emergencies.
The kokansa or prison is here. The nan
i means, in the japanese, bell; It has d
B hundred dungeons and cages The histol
:, of these few cities give fair outline Of 4
{. whole empire. Their private dwellings q
ltlman but neat, and Ornamented with sma