The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03
JAPAN X THE JAPANESE.


The Washington Union, OF recent date,
publishes two veay interesting letters from
Hon. TOWNSEND HARRIs, minister resident
at Japan. From these letters we make the
following extracts, containing q vast amount
of information as the habits and customs OF
the Japanese:
Mn. HARRIS DETERMINES TO sEE TIE EMPEROR
CURIOUS DRESS AND TRAIN.
More than two months were consumed by
the Japanese in making their preparatns for
my journey and for my reception at Jeddo.
was informed that the Emperor had given
orders that | should receive the same honors
as are paid TO the princes OF the blood, as
we'll on the road as in the towns and vil-
lages through which would pass. | was
told that the Vice Governor OF Simods
would attend me, in the character OF a
courier, and that be would implicitly obey
all my instructions.
My train numbered some one hundred and
fifty persons. composed Of guards (my own)
norrimon bearers, cooks, grooms, shoe bear
ers, cane bearers, fan bearers, and last,
though not least, q standard bearer, and a
large number of coolies. had permitted
the Japanese to arrange and dress my train
according to their ideas Of propriety, and
what they conceived was due TO the represen-
tative Of the President of the United States.
My guards, each with two swords in the
girdle, and clad 10 new silk dresses, as they
swelled and strutted about appearing to be
a yc;,ht;Iy ,pl;c, al IL, baa ~ ~ hiie thev apd
my bearers and grooms appeared TO have
broken out !" all over their bo1ics with
spread eagles" as the back breast and
sleeves OF their dresses ware sprinkled over
with the arms OF the United States, which
were neatly painted on them. performed
the journey partly on horseback and partly
in norrimon, which is the Jepancse name
for psIanquin. The Japanese norrimon
will compare with the celebrated iron cages
OF Cardinal Baine, Of France, in which the
poor inmate could neither lie down nor stand
up. 10 the norrimon the Japanese kneel
and place their feet close together, and then
cit on their heels if they wish to repose
Themselves they lean forward, aud rest the
chin on their knees, so that the body and
limbs form three horizontal folds or piles
position that they assume spd keep without
annoyance from long practice, and from the
great Aexibiity Of their joints, but which is
almost unattainable by white man, and is
absolutely unerdaraole.
had nOrrmoD made for me seven feet
long, aud in il put mattress and pillows,
which made it as comfortable as the Indisp
palabquin but Of oil the modes, Of travelling
the camel, the elephant, and the palanquin
are the most iatiguing.
On the lovely morning OF Monday. No
vember %, | started for the long desired
goal Of my wishes-Jeddo. Folr lads, with
small batnbon wands, led the way rs hsr-
bingers. and their voices sJ1rded quite rng.
sical a. they sang the JspaBesc worda !or
Clear the way" Clear the way
Kneel down" Next followed JsIane'e
oth>er on horseback then cane q large
lacqocred tablet, bearing ny name ard titles
in immense Chiuese characters The tab.ei
was supported by two huge transparent
Lanterns. which bore similar inscriptions.
When balted tie tablet was placed 10
iron: OF my quarters, and at night the Ian.
terms were lighted and hung up over the
gate Of the bous, Next came a stogt
fellow, bearing the " star, and stripes with
four guards. followed either on horse
back or 10 my norrimon, and ATTENDED by
twelve guards. NeIt came Mr.. Heusken
Interpreter and after him ! do DO, recol-
lec, how i, Wa Arranged, except that the
Vice Governor brough; up the rear.
osxAv KEsrE1 SHOWN TO HIN Hr THE
JArAsrEE.
The roads were al repaired aud eeaaly
svep, on the whole oi my roais before !