Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-10-06

JAPANESE EMPIRE.-Below we give
an interesting account of the japanese
Empire, which has been kindly fur
nished to US by Mr.. Thomas Troy
He has had extensive facilities for gain
ing information on the subject.
The whole empire consists of sixty
six provinces. The island Niphon con
tains fifty, and Kew-shoo nine, Schoke
five, Yezo one, and Sadho one.
The city of Jeddo is in the province
of Moo-so-she. The chart points out
eight hundred and eight islands, in
cluding the four principal ones, some of
which are rich in mineral productions.
In the island Sadho there are rich gold
mines, but no one is allowed to work
them but the convictS whom the gov
ernment sends there. They seldom live
oyer three years; some are never al
lowed to see the daylight. They work
the mines like railroad tunnel, under
the mountains, where some have to
spend their life time, without ever see
ing the sun again.
On the East side of Kew-Shoo there
is an abundance of coal, and a good
harbor for shipping at hand. The peo-
pie mostly burn charcoal; they are for
hidden to cook with hard coal, on ac-
count of the therefore the mines
are not much attended to.
In the island Hay ay-jay-jo-she-ma, all
the Emperor's clothing is made. He
sends vessel there five times year,
to bring his rich cargo to Jeddo. Some
of his junks are ornamented with gold
plates all round the bulwarks.
The most remarkable mountain is
Foo-g-san, in the province Soo-roong-
au; it is ten miles high, and the top is
capped with snow nine or ten months in
the years In June and July it is visited
by great numbers of people from Jeddo
and different parts of the country
The people have great many songs in
praise of it and its traditions. 1t is re-
garded sacred, and no females are al
lowed to ascend it.
The present Emperor is about twenty
one years of age; his title is Thin Kaw,
which means heaven beneath. His
palace is in the city of Jeddo; it is sur
rounded by strong wall, and outside
the wall is a deep canal, full of water;
his arsenal is close to his palace, built on
mound, where he retreats in case of
war. He keeps strong life guard
around him, and when he rides out,
which is very seldom, he has ten or
twelve of his Ministers dressed in the
same uniform with himself, SO that no
person may know him, so much is he
afraid of his own subjects.
When he passes through the CITY the
people must kneel down and keep their
faces to the ground until he is out ofI
sight; they cannot even turn their heads
to look at him. They have to do the
same with all his ministers of state and
public officers. The principal weapon
of war in Japan is the sword, which is
large and very sharp. A good swords
man is supposed to be able to fend off
ten arrows, shot at the same time, and
he.isthought to be able to cut musket
ball IN two if he sees the man. who is
firing at bin. Their use of the musket
is as follows-it has no flint, but goes
with match, which is attached to the |
stock; they hold the musket to the left |
shoulder and support it with the left |
hand while they touch it off with the
right. The people are not allowed to |
keep hre arms IN their houses.-San
Francisco Times.