Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-01-14
Residence in Japan.

As we approached the coast of Japan we
beheld une of the most beautiful and striking
landmarks in the world. 1t is the "Fudzee
Jamma' or perpetually snow covered noun.
tain, whose height is said to be some twelve
or fourteen. thousand feet. The morning was
clear, the wind fair, and we saw a cone-like
figure against the sky as white as marble. We
said it must be Fudzee, but could not credit it,
All day we were running towards it at the
rate OF or 10 miles an hou', and all day this
monument rose before us, becoming grad
ually more distinct, until we came within
ten or twelve miles from shore, when nearer
hills intervened and shut out the view This
mountain is far inland-as near as l can learn
one hundred miles Distant and when we first
saw it it must have been at a distance of $50
miles from it,
As we approach the shore, the scenery is
most grand and picturesque. Rich verdure,
foliage and fowe s, bluff coast and wide chasms,
mountains tenaced and cultivated to the very
tops. and houses built on the 81 les of perpen-
dicular precipices, with steps to approach
them cut out of the solid rock, and standing
like statuary i'll the inches of huge temples
and palaces, all combined, make the scenery
the most beautiful and picturesque magma
Bile.
The harbor Of Simoda is not good one,
our arrival we found that Simoda, as well as
most of the seaport towns of Japan, had cen
delnged and destroyed in consequence of an
earthquake. In the short space of five min.
utes the water rose over the plain on which
Slmoda Is built TO the depth OF seventeen feet.
Incredible as it appears, it is reported that only
80 lives were lost. The people have been contin-
uaily at work ever since, rebuilding the city
and Strengthening its broken walls, and yet 1t
lacks not evidence now of the terrible calamity
which visited it.
We found at Simoda tie officers and crew
of the Russian frigate Diana, which was
wrecked i'll this harbor at the time of the earth
quake. They had concluded treaty with
the Japanese similar to that of the Americans
We sold Il EN- our provisions and chartered
them our schooner, to convey themselves to
etropaulowski-m myself remaining with the
three ladies of our party and the children at
Simoda. Upon landing we were assigned
residence Ill temple, according to the treaty.
and carpenters were furnished to prepare it
Tor our convenience. And thus we are really
living III this strange and most beautiful coun-
try, the lirst Americans who have ever slept
on these shores, for the japanese assure us
that the officers of our fleet were not allowed
hisprivilege. For two hundred years this
country, with lis population of forty millions.
has been closed against all foreigners.
The day of our advent into Simoda, with
American ladies and children, will be regard.
ed by the Japenese as an era in their history.
The people tumbled over each other in their
eagerness to get a sight of those foreign
ladies who had come to visit tn cir hallowed
shores. They are all very curious about our
ladies' TO know why they are so white and so
delicate in appearance, for the japanese wo-
men are tie ''rougher sex - they are, in fact,
slaves. We, of course, tell them how our la
dies are esteemed and respected, all which is
mystery to them. We showed them some
pictures of ladies, in periodicals and framed,
and upon learning that our ladies look like
the pictures they raise both hands and exclaim,
"Ah, all y They ask the ladies their age,
and appear surprised at any hesitancy on their
part to divurge so profound secret. They
likewise think themselves privileged to exam
inc into various articles of ladies dress very
freely; modesty Or shame being little known
among themselves. The first time the Gov
ernor OF Simoda visited us he threw himself
down at full length upon our bed, it being
different article from anything which he had
seen used before.
The japanese began early to lnterrcgate us
upon our intentions, and We told them IN
writing that we came there to live. | soon re-
celved letter from the Governor saying
"Your letter is received and intentions heard.
| now declare that you must Immediately, on
the return of your schooner, leave this coun-
try and if she does not return in a reason
able time, you must depart by the first oppor-
tunity or lirst vessel that touches here Your
stay here at this time is necessary, because
you have chartered your schooner to transport
the Russians; but your being permitted to
stay must not be taken by the Americans for
plo
must depart without any more excuses, and
never ask again to stay III Japan, for 1t can.
not be granted under any circumstances
again.
We replied, claiming the right to stay there
atour pleasure, according to the provisions of
the treaty, and declaring ourselves under the
protection OF the American flag. Fortunately,
while this correspondence was progressing,
Com. Rogers with the Vincennes and Han
cock, came into port. The Commodore kind.
ly promised to write to the Governor, and tell
HIM that we are right and must not be il ter
fered with.
The temple, and grounds enclosed, which
we occupy, are sacredly aud exclusively ours.
Not Japanese except the officers we permit
ed to enter the gate, except by special permis.
son 10 guard against intrusion, four officers
are stationed the gate, land are renewed every
niggt. Near the gate is small house, in
which are stationed five other officers, who
transmit all messages to or from us, Introduce
to us all who are allowed to enter, and make
for us all the purchases which we require.
The people are kept as far as possible from
mingling with us; and hence, when we 90 TO
walk, or leave the temple, ii seen, an officer
attends us to keep the common people from
communicate g with us. The people are not
allowed TO exchange any articles with US, or
TO accept anything from us. have frequent.
ly offered them little articles which seemed to
please them, but they refuse them, saving that
the Emperor would take off their heads if they
were to do it; and their whole conduct shows
that they fully believe that The thing would
be done. Only in two instances have sue.
ceeded in getting such gift retained and those
were by persons whom l met in the road, and
where they ere certain tina. no one was near.
gave man knife, and he in return gave me
some coin. 1t was amusing to see his lear.
:. He looked all around to see if any officer
was in sight, all the while trembling as if on
the verge OF eternity. He stretched out his
hand for the knife aud withdrew it again. look
ing around anxiously. AT last, when he
snatched It,, he shot away from me like an ar
row, dropping the coin the same instant, and
in breath was out Of sight.
The second instance was of the same nature
While there were some officers one day in NV
room, the interpl eter picked up Bible which
was lying upon the table, and began to read
aloud from the first chapter of Genesis. When
he had read four VERSES quite distinctly, he
asked mo, "What book is this 7" | told him II
was tho Bible the American Bonk a. ral,,;,,,,