The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-05-13
From the National Intelllgencer. ]
The Empire Of japan.


may be Interesting, send you the following
concise sketch Of that kingdom 1t is cal.
led by the natives Niphoa, and was founded
about six hundred and sixty-tive years be-
tore Christ, by Simmu. From him to SIN
zakin there appears to have been sixty En-
perors. After THIS period in the year ll42
a change took place. From this time a
double chronology commences, including
The reigns OF the Dearlos and Cubos. The
Dearios were military officers, aud at one
period completely usurped the power of the
E'nperOrS; but a general by The name of
Jereumo being crowned, succeeded in de-
priving the Dearios Of all military power
Al the present time the kingdom Of Japan
Is governed by an Emperor with full militia
ry powers, Ceario with full civil powers,
and Cubo, or prime minister, who has au-
thority over certain cities, their Parlia-
ment, &c.
! The Kingdom Of Japan consists Of three
large and thirty or forty smaller islands, sit
uated off the coast Of China. The largest
Of these islands is Niphon, the next Jesse
| On the Island of Buugo, southwest Of Ton
sa, Is the city of Nangaschi, and near that
city is the lttte artificial island Disno, on
which Duich factory is built.
/ Jeddo, or Yeddo, the capital Of the whole
empire, Is situated IN the midst of fac
PLAIN, Ia the province Of Musocc. 1t is
built N the form of a crescent, and ntersec-
ted III almost every street by canals, their
banks beng planted with rows Of beautiful
trees. The city is not surrounded, as most
Eastern cities are, 10y wall. but has a
strong castle To defend it. The river Ton.
gag 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 pal
ace Is formed by three ciuctures, or circular
piles Of buildings, and enclosing many
streets, courts, apartments, pavlilons, guard
houses, gates, draWbridses, gardens, canals
etc. Ia it resides The Emperor and his
family, the royal donesticS, tributary prin-
ces and their retinucs, the Ministers Of
State, many other officers of Government,
ami strong garrison. The walls of this
magnificent palace are bull, OF treestone,
tclth0W cement, and the stones pYohig igiously
large. The whole pile was originally COW
cred with gilt tiles, which gave il "a very
grand and beautiu! appearance. Many Of
the stately apartments are formed aud al
tered at pleasure, by movable screens. The
principal apartments are the Hall of Attend
ance, the Council Chamber, Hall OF 4 thou
sand Mats, sc.
he city Is under the rule Of two COVER
nors, who rule a year each.
The mex, largest city is Meaco. II is al
so royal city, aud is situated on a lake
near the middle Of the Island of Nlphon,
and surrounded by mountains, which give
remarkable and delightful prospect to the
whole; The clrcumjacent country between
The cIty and the 'nuuutaius is covered with
temples, sepulchres, &c. &c, aud Is embei-
hshed with variety Of orchards, groves,
cascades, ana pouring streams. Three con
siderable rivers water ,hs fertile plain, and
unite their streams in the centre Of lhe city,
where magnificent stone bridge facilitates
the communication between lhe different
parts of the city
\ strong caSile defends the town; IL is
sia hundred yard> IN ieagth, has 4 tower in
the centre, and Is surrounded by two ditch
90, the one dry, the other fall of water.
i his splendid city j, twenty miles long and
uiuc wide within the suburbs. which arc rs
well populated a The city. The number of
the inhabitants of the city proper Is sup
posed to be l4o, 900. The universities, col
leges, temples. Sc, arc almost incredible
IN lumber and magniii:ence. 1t contains
twelve capital or principal streets, in the
centre of which are the royal palaces, su
perbly built Of marble, aud adorned with
gardens, orchards, paviions, terraces, and
groves, SC.
The next principal town is Ozeaco. Il
is deemed the chief seaport. Is very popu-
lous, aud has an army of 80, 900 men 1ftcays
ready at the disposal and command Of The
Emperor. 1t is near fifteen miles in cir
bumference.
The city OF Nangascke is the japanese
naval depot; but as they have not yet found
any use for navy, their vessels are ony IN
the rough material, and stored away for
emergencies.
The kokansa or prison is here. The
name means, in japanese, he'll; it has one
hundred dungeons and cages. The history
of these few cities gives fair outline Of
the whole empire. Their private dwellings
are small but ueat, and ornamented with
small gardens; In this they excel, rs they
are the very hes, of horticu;urists A few
feet Of ground are turned 10 the best adyau-
rage, as the japanese understand perfectly
the art of dwarfns plants, trees, fruits and
flowers. They Use neither tables, bed
stead., nor chairs; bat sit, eat. and sleep,
like most Eastern nations, on mats.
Almost the first accomplishment learned
by them is the art and grace OF suicide; the
ger or stick, and falls back in initiative
death; the lover cuts out his intcstines be-
fore his ohdurate mistress, AMI the latter
pours out her hearts blood in The face Of
her taIthless lover; the criminal executes
himself; and IN fact, the whole nation,
from early youth, revels in the luxury Of
suicide.
Their trade is at present, under great re-
strIctIons, as they only trade with the Chi
nese and Dutch. The latter have always
tostered, cherished aud increased the pre-
judices of the japanese agains, all other Ia
tions, particularly the French, English and
Portuguese.
/ The mechanics and manufacturers in Ja-
pan excel in their different branches, and
are even Tar superior to the Chinese. Their
silks and cottons are excellent, and their ia
pan ware and porcalain unequallei. Their
exports are raw and manufactured silks,
iron, steel, artificial metals, iurs, teas, finer
than Chinese, japan ware, gold, silver,
copper, gums, medicinal herbs, roots, dia-
nonds, pearls, coral, shells, ambergsis, Sc.
Whatever goods the Japanese want they
pay for in gold and silver.
The Japanese worship the principal two
! ,ko =,