Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-22

The JAPANESE. correspondent of the
New York Herald imparts the following in
teresting information concerning the Japanese
and their government, derived from Mr.. Har-
ris
"This gentleman who has now been at
Simoda for two years, and who is a man of
remarkable observation, has collected more
interesting and reliable information in regard
to those almost unknown people, thnn is con-
tanned in all the books ever written about
Japan. He has been twice to Jeddo, had
several interviews with the Emperor, and
constant association with the mobiles. 1t was
his impression that all the Japanese sprang
from the same parentage, which is opposed
TO the views of some writer's, who proclaim
the nobility to be a ruling caste. Upon an
other occasion ed him when he thought
they would send a minister to the United
States, and he replied that the exact time had
not yet been determined upon, but that he
thought that by next spring one would be on
his way. They asked me, he continued, if
the United States would provide a steamer to
carry him as far as the Isthmus of Panama,
and told them that could not answer posi-
lively, but that thought they would. They
are very anxious to send one, and remarked
to me that it would only be a return of the
Aluu lSeltHS WHlCA inc Onlbeu CLateS laQ
evinced in already sending several to japan.
l asked him if there was any Japanese of
ability among the nobility who would be like
ly to I'LL such post with credit, and replied
yes several aud spoke of the Prince of Higo
as one OF the most prominent, He said that
it was a very mistaken idea that the people of
Japan were in favor of intercourse with for
eigners, while the nobility and Emperor W ere
opposed to it; it was just the contrary. Upon
one occasion when the Prince had advocated
q certain liberal foreign policy measure, cards
had been posted threatening the death of the
officials who should bring it about. In fact,
he said, were it not for this opposition on the
part of the people, the government would at
once throw Japan open to the world as it
was, however, they were obliged to proceed
with extreme caution.
have already mentioned that Mr.. Harris
has been to JeddO twice, and that he had
seen the Emperor in his palace We were
speaking OF this fact upon one occasion, when
some one asked him what the Emperor looked
like, and if he live in grand stylei
In reply he said that it was the fashion in
Japan to ask one how old he was, and how
many children he had, he had easily satisfied
himself upon these and similar points. The
Emperor was thirty-six years old had one legal
wife, and as many secondary ones as he deslr-
ed. AS for his palace and style of living, the
former was very large and comfortable, but
extremely plain, when the latter could not
have cost him more than five hundred dollars
q year, his clothing included. 1t was great
mistake which early writers had when speak
ing of the magnihcenee of the Court of jed
do-if any existed, he, Mr.. H., had never
seen anything of it.
l asked him if there were really two Emper-
ors in Japan, or il the celestial one was mere
ly myth, kept up to deceive the peoplef
"Oh, yes - he replied ''that is, there lives
at Miaco. in the strctest refinement the nom j..
inal Emperor OF Japan. He has two titles
Ten-sin, or Son Of Heaven. and Mkado, or
Emperor. He has twelve legal wives. and as
many secondary ones as he desires, and is be-
leved never to die. They acknowledge that
his body perishes and is buried, but insist that
his spirit passes into that of the body which
succeed him, and that he is thus kept among
them. They say that japan is peoped solely
by his offspring, and veuernte him according
ly as their common father. Every one who APP
prosches him must kneel, even to the Tai
Koon, or Great Ruler, who lives at Jeddo,
and who is generally called Emperor. 1t is
the law of Japan that the Tai Koon shall visit
the Son OF Heaven once in every seven years ;
but as the former does not like to kneel to
him, be hos been gradually throwing cold
water upon the custom, until now he does
not go at all. lie contents himself with
sending high officer once year to act for
him. This Tai Koon, OF Great Ruler, as his
title implies, is virtually the Emperor. He is
not all powerful, however. though the mos,
powerful man in Japan, the laws being as
binding upon him az upon the meanest Of his
subjects. He is man of very liberal views,
aud asked earnestly as 10 our form of govern /.
mont habits, and customs, So Oi course
l gave him great idea of our country, though
not at the expense Of those OF Europe. lie
seems to seo, however, that we are destined
at no distant day to be more powerful still,
and feels toward US accordingly. was asked
upon one occasion If in case Of any difficulty
with England or France we would not give
them the benefit of our good Offices. This
speaks plainly of the nature Of their feeling
toward us as acts could"
1t was a matter Of considerable surprise IN
those on board the Powhattan to end that the
Japanese had screw steamer Of war, and A
side wheel steamer, manned entirely by ia.
paneso officers, engineers, iremen and saiiors.
who seemed TO DO entirely at home in their
management. They wero obtained from the
Dutch.