Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-21
characteristics and Dress of the Japanese.

Malay origin. Their language is polysyabic, and
has an alphabet of AZ letters, which written IN
FIVE different FORMS ofwhich is used exclusively
by the men, and another by the women. The peo-
ple of this nation well made, active, free and ca
sy in the motions and stout limbed. The men are
middle sized, and in general not corpulent- yellow
compilations, oblong black eyes, which decidedly
sunk in the head Short and fat noses. broad head
and black hair They are said to be an intelligent
and proyidentpeople nqusitive and ingenious, frank
and good humored upright and honest brave and
unyielding. capable of concealing and controlling
their feelings in an extraordinary degree, but dis
trustful proud, unforgiving and revengeful. The
usual dress of the Japanese short upper garment
with wide sleeves, and complete gown underneath,
fastened around the neck. and reaching quite down
to the feet.
The rich are clothed in silks, the poor in coarse
wooden stuffs. The upper garment is generally
black the under dress is of mixed coors. Every
one has his family arms, about the size of half dol
lar wrought into his clothes in different places In
winter they wear five six dresses over each other
Instead Of shoes, they have soles merely of straw,
fastened to the gre't toe by loop. They do not
use parasols in sunshine, umbrellas in rainy
weather but in travelling, conical caps, fans, UNI
brelas and cloaks made of oiled paper, are COM
monty used They pay great attention to the orna-
menting and dressing of their hair, which is collect
ed in tuft the crown of their head, and they
study great cleanliness of person.
MARRIAGE AND FUNERAL CEREMONIES
one female, who is acknowledged wife, are merely
regarded a: concubines This is the case with the
higher classes. The women are allowed higher
station in most oriental countries. She is the COM
| panion and not the slave of the Marriages are
solemnized in the open air, in the presence of the
priests and relations of the parties without much
pomp or ceremony. The bridegroom and bride ad
vance to altar, erected for the purpose. with a
torch in their hands, and while the priest reads
form of prayer, the bride having lighted her torch
.1a,,, Io1l. 4hoh Ydarrrn
who lights his torch from hers. The guests then
congratulate the married couple, and there the GER
emory is concluded.
The bodies of persons of distinction at death are
burned while others are inferred. The funeral pile
is erected in small house of stone fitted for the pur
pose and provided with chimney. The body is
| brought thither accompanied by men and women:
and attended by numerous train of priests who are
continually occupied in singing, Upon reaching the
place for burning, of the priests sings the euo-
gy of the deceased and having thrice waved light
ed torch over the body throws it away. 1t is then
picked up by one of the children. other relatives
of the deceased, and applied to the burning pile
The clothes carried away in costly vessel and
preserved for time in the house. but afterwards
are buried in the earth Those who are buried are
enclosed in wooden chest and let down into grave
in the customary manner Fragrant spices are
thrown into the grave, and flowers planted on the
earth which covers it.
i RELIGION AND EDUCATIoN.-The established or
Stitc vi Jdpdu Is OI Duuud UuG IL
many varieties, and much superstition prevails
among its votaries The peculiar tenet of the Bud
ha sect is that the soul of men and of beasts are
equally immortal, and that the souls of the wicked
are condemned to undergo punishment and purifca-
tiOn by passing after death into the bodies of the
lower animals. The ancient sect called Sinto
Ghough its adherents few to have origi-
nally been simple and pure in its tenets. They
consider the founders of the Empire the immedi-
ate descendants of the Supreme God, who came
without interruption to exercise sovereign authority
They believe the spirit of their ruler to be immor
tai and consider the Supreme Being too great to be
addressed in prayer, except through the medium OF
tie Mikaco the Son of Heaven or the inferior spir
its called Kami, to whom temples specially cree
ted. They have some conception of the souls i'm
mortality, and believe that happy abode mmedi
atey under heaven is ASST gned to the spirits of the
virtuous, while those of the wicked shall be doomed
, to wander to and fro under the armament. Theil
practical precepts directed to lead yirtuou
life. and obey the laws of the Sovereign. The Dari
or ecclesiastical Sovereign, to be the granC
head of all the sects and appoints the priests Eve
~ sect has respective Church and peculiar idols
The inferior divnities innumerable almos
every trade has its tutelar God and in temple
no less than 1888 said to be ranged around the
Supreme Deity.
Monks religious beggars and singing girls, e
about the country, and levy considerable sums. lr
literature the japanese are said to excel. They
study medicine and astronomy history, poetry, ant
several of the natural sciences cultivated, anC
there is prevalent taste for drawing, engraving
and music. The samsic guitar. is ever invaria
bly, made part of female education the piano il
in enlightened countries. Schools generally abound
The children stimulated to emulation and wor
thy achievements by the recital of songs in praise
their deceased heroes. A few Of the more studiou
acquire the Chinese language, and of the ply
sicians able to understand the Dutch and ever
the Latin The Japanese have many of the arts il
perfection not yet attained by their more civilized
contemporaries. In those of smelling and refnin.
metals they excel. Their copper, iron and STEEL be
ing celebrated for their purity. The finer product
;. of European art are initiated by them and tele
scopes, thermometers. clocks and watches, are man
} ufactured at Kangaski.
GENERAL BurLER.-Col. Humphrey Marshall, il
one of his recent speeches in Congress- speaks in tn
. following generous strain of Col. William o. Butler,
o political opponents
Though General Butler is my constituent. and
therefore, entitled to my attention upon occasions,
recognize the fact that his interests in hands NOR
competent than mine do them justice before the tri
! bunal OF democratic opinion. | will remark, howev
II er, that long acquaintance with William O. Bute
enables me to say of him-and it affords me peasur
e thus publicly TO say never have entertained tn
: idea for moment that lie wonld be tame and quie
: tool in the hands of any set Of | have neve
heard DISSEMINATION attributed 10 him by political foe
, or personal enemies. | believe him 10 be manly
straight forward and honorable character conspcuou
for the purity of his private life, and his fidelity
every observance of a personal honor, which is nc
: only unstained by reproach, but above suspicion
Whatever political opinions he may entertain, can