Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-02-04

hueel hnu pidCc buelT loeb ClOSe lO8otheT, anu
then sit on their heels; il they wish to re-
pose themselves they lean forward, and rest
the chin on tho knees, so that the body and
limbs form three horizontal folds or piles
position that they assume and keep with
out annoyance, from long practice, and from
the great hexibilitv Of their joints, but
which is almost unattainabls by a whito
man, and is absolutely unendurabc.
/ had norman made for me seven
feet long and in it l put a mattress and
pillows, which made il as comfortable as
the Indian palaLquin; but Of all the modes
Of travelling, the camel, the elephant and
the palanquin are the most fatiguing.
On the lovely morning Of Monday, Nov.
23, started for the long-desired goal Of
my wishes--Yeddo. Four lads, with small
bamboo wands, led the way as harbingNrs
and their voices sounded quito musical as
they sang the japanese words for "clear the
way" "clcar the way" "kneel down, ,""knoel
down" Next followed a Japanese officer
on horseback; then came huge lackcrcd
tablet, bearing my name and titles in inn
mcuse Chinese characters. The tablet was
supported by two huge transparent lanterns,
which bore similar Inscriptions. (When l
halted, the tablet was placed in front Of
my quarters, and at night the lanterns were
lighted and hung up over the gate Of the
house) Next came q stout fellow, barring
the "stars and stripes" with four guards
l followed either on horseback, or in my
norrimon, and attended by twelve guards.
Next came Mr.. Heuskin, (interpreter,) and
after him l do not know how it was ar
ranged, except that the Vice Governor
brought up the rear.
For the first three days tho routc was en-
tangled among mountains and deep ravines
which compose the peninsula of Idsu. The
path, for it could rot be called a road, was
narrow, and in many places was formed BY
cutting steps in the Jufa rocks, and some
times it ran over mountains 1000 feet
high. On the second day reached Ugasi-
ma, and as emerged from the gorges Of
Mount Amagi I had my first view Of "Fusi
Yama," tho "Matchlcss Mountain" Tho
sight was grand beyond description. As
viewed from the Temple at Ugasima, the
mountain appears to be entirely isolated,
and shoots up in a glorious and perfect
cone 900 feet high! 1t was covered with
snow, and in the bright sunlight it glittered
like frosted silver. In its majestic appear
ance it struck me as being even more grand
and imposing than the celebrated Dwhalgri
of the Himmala mountains. For the first
two nights l was lodged in temples,which had
been fitted up for me, with new bathrooms and
other appliances to contribute to my com.
fort. On the evening Of the third day | ar
rived at Missima, town on the To-ky-do
or great East road, and from thence to Yed
do the road is wide and good. On the grca'
roads of Japan nico buildings are erected
for the accommodation Of the princes wher
they travel; they are called Howjin; ant
it was in them ! had my quarters for the rc
mainder Of my journey.
On my arrival at one of these building
| the Vice-Governor would hasten to compli
meut me on my arrival, and ask after my
health. On one occasion asked him tC
come into the house, but he shook his heaC
and said he dared not do it, as only those
of ecxalted rank" could enter Howjin
vet this man has received some thirty steps
of promotion, wears the imperial arms OF
his sleeve, and is the "Leader Of one Thou
sand Stars G., tho commander Of one
thousand soldiers.
My first days journey on the To-ky-dC
was over the mountain Hacone, which i
some 4,500 feet high. After had passcC
tho crest of the mountain, and had descen
ded about one-third of the way, l came t.
a perfect biijou of rest house. Everything
was in miniature. The house was new, anC
nothing could exceed its neatness. A min
iature garden adorned the rear; the tree
, were dwarfcd to the smallest possible sizes
Here were tiny temples and grottoes, anC
; bridges so petite that nothing heavier thar
a fairy could walk over them. A canal anC
fish pond, paved with snow-white pebbles
! were filled with water Of crystal clearness
tho gold and silver fish, however wero o
enormous size, some being quite two fee
! long, and gray-headcd old carp appeared
, to be the patriarch Of the fnny family.
The passage of Mount Hacone was no
completed until after nightfall; but / die
not regret being belsted, as it afforded mi
| the novel sight Of my train brilliantly lighteC
, by largo number of huge bamboo torches
As the train twisted and turned among th'
: descents of the mountain, it looked like th'
tail of huge fiery dragon. On reaching
tho plain / was met by the authorities O
, the city Of Odowara and whole army O
lanterns, of all imaginable sizes and colors
; each being decorated with the arms Of it
owner, and the whole forming an enssmbl
) that was lively and pleasing. ! passe'
Sunday the 29th of November, at Kawasa
, ki. This is the town that Chaplain Bitten
l ger reached whom he made his celebrate
dash at Yeddo. Sec Com. Perry's Joul
nal of the Japan expedition. From m
) first arrival in Japan up to the present ds
have always refused to transact any bu'
mess or to travel on Sunday. l soon &c
D tho Japanese to understand my motive, an
: | am sure it has increased their respect f
{ me.
: The roads were all repaired and cleanl
: swept on the whole of my route before
2 passed; bridges were put in order, an
' many new ones built; all travelon the roa
Q was stopped, so that I did not see thos
: crowds Of travellers, priests, nuns, DC, d.
o scribed by Kempfer; the shops in all tn
y towns and villages were clossd, except cool
Q shops and tea-houses, and the inhabitant
/, clad in their holiday clothes, knelt on mat
a anraad in fronk of THAR houSAst not n soun