Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-09-25

stately apartments are formed and altered a
pleasure, by moveable screens. The prin
cipal apartments are the Hall of Attendance
the Council Chamber, Hall of THOUSAND
Mats, SC.
i The city is under the rule of two Cover
nors, who rule year each.
i The next largest city is Mecao. 1t is alst
royal city, and is situated on a lake neal
the middle of the island Of Niphon, and sur
rounded by mountains, which give a remark
able and delightful prospect to the whole
the clrcumjacent country between the city
and the mountains is covered with TEMPLES
sepulchers, &c., &c., andi embelished with
a variety of orchards, groves, cascades ane
Purling streams Three considerable rivers
water this fertile plain, and unite their
streams in the centre Of the city, where a
magnificent stone bridge facilitates the com
munication between the different parts of the
city. A strong castle defends the town; 1t is
sur hundred yards tn length, 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 suburbs, which are as well
populated as the city. The number of the
inhabitants of the city proper is supposed to
be 529,OOO. The universities, colleges,
temples, &c., are almost incredible in num-
ber and magnificence. 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, Pavillions, terraces, groves, &c.
The next principal town is Ozeaco. 1t is
deemed the chief seaport, is very populous,
and has an army of 81, 900 men al,cags ready
at the disposal and command of the Emper-
or. 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 en-
ergencies.
The kokansa or prison is here. The name
means, in the japanese, hell 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 neat, and ornamental with small
gardens ; in this they excel, as they are the
very best cf horticulturists A few feet of
aground are turned to the best advantage, as
the Japanese understand perfectly the art Of
|dwarfing plants, trees; fruits and flowers
lbey use neither tables, bedsteads, nor
cha; but sit, eat, and sleep, like most
Easter nations, on mats.
Almosf'the first accomplishment learned
is the art and grace of suicide the child in
the nursery stabs itself with its finger or
stick and falls back in initiative death the
lover cuts out his inl(nkipes before his obdu-
rate mistress, and the Rer pours out her
haa = bo e., 10 co. l.,
er; the criminal executes himself; and, in
fact, the whole nation, from early youth,
reyel in the luxury of suicide.
Their trade is, at present, under great
restrictions, as they only trade with the Chi
nese and Dutch. The latter have Msays
fostered, cherished, and increased the preju-
dlces of the Japanese against all other ma
tons, particularly the French, English, and
Portuguese.
The mechanics and manufacturers in ia
pan excel in their different branches, and are
even far superior to the Chinese. Their
silks and cottons are excellent, and their ia
pan ware and porcelain unequalled. Their
exports are raw and manufactured silks, iron,
steel, artificial metals, furs, teas, finer than
the Chinese, Japan ware, gold, silver, cop
per, gums, medicinal herbs, roots, diamonds,
pearls, coral, shells, ambergris, SC. What
ever goods the japanese want, they pay for
in gold and silver.
The Japanese worship the principal two
gods, Xaca and Amida. AT Maceo there is
a stately temple, built to one of these gods;
it is Of frees.one, as large as ST. Paul's, with
an arched roof, supported by heavy pillars.
in which stands an idol of copper, which
reaches as high as the roof; and, according
to description given by Sir Thomas Her
bert, his chair is seventy feet high and eighty
feet .ong; the head is big enough to hold fif-
teen men, and thumb forty inches in circum-
ference. There is another statue called af-
ter the god Dahio, made of copper, twenty
two feet high, in sitting posture. This
shows that the Japanese understand the art
of working in bronze, and they are far ahead
of Christian nations in this particular. They
allow polygamy, and they often strangle their
female children, but never the males. The
nobility extract the two front teeth, and sup
ply them with two oSgold.
The principal rivers are the UJingava and
former so rapid and wide that
a bridge cannot be built over it; the latter
for its depth and perpetual fuc-
The chief lake, called Citz, is l6O
miles long and 81 wide. A large valley ex-
sts in the interior, filled with carbonic gas,
and called the Valley Of the Upa. 1t is |
with the skeletons of numerous wild
and tame beasts and birds. The Emperor,
/ is said, often sent criminals to the valley to
bring away precious gem of inestimable
yalue, and the bones of men also whten its
]eadly sides.
Acidulated lakes and thermal springs are
common throughout several Of the islands.
Their great source of opulence are their
mines of gold and silver. but they have no
calamine, sal ammoniac, borax, or
:innebar, (quicksilver.) These articles are
n demand, and bring high price. Birds
ind every kind of poultry are plenty; cam