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


Tea, bou-bons, and other refreshments were
then offered 10 me. A large number OF the
Princes came TO be presented to me. At
length ! was told the Emperor was ready to
receive me. passed through large hall,
in which some 800 10 400 of the high no
bles Of japan, oil dressed in their court
dresses, were kneeling, and us silent and as
motionless as statues, and from this hall l
entered the audience chamber. At this
moment chamberlain called out, in loud
voice, Merrcan Ambassador" and the
Prince of Sinano threw himself down and
crawled along as l walked in. Mr.. Ileus.
ken. my secretary, who carried the Pres-
dents letter. halted ut the en- rance. ! ad-
vanced up the room. making three bows as
] proceeded, and halted at the head OF two
lines Of men, who were prostrate on their
faces those on my right were the five mem
bers of the Council OF State, with the Prince
of Bittsu at their head, aud those on the
lett were three brothers OF the Emperor.
PRESENTATION OF Mr.. BucuANASs LETTER.
His Majesty was seated on chair placed
| on o dd,s, elevated some three feet above the
floor Of the chamber. He was dressed in
yellow silk, and wore black lacquered cap
that utterly deties description Alter u
short pause made my address TO him. and
alter similar pause, he replied to me in u
clear and pleasant voice. When the Em.
peror had finished, Mr.. lieusken brought
the Presidents letter to me. removed the
silk cover, {striped. red aga white) oEensa
the box and displayed the writing 10 the
Prince OF Bittsu, who now stood up then.
closing the box, handed it to the prince.
who placed it on lackered stand prepared
for the purpose Mr.. Heusken having re-
turned TO his place, and the prince being
again PROSTATE, the Emperor bowed TO me,
smiling pleasantly at the same time This
ended my audience, and | backed out Of the
room, making three bows IA retired
COURT DREss AND DINNER TRAYS.
The usual dress OF the Japanese mobiles is
of silk, but the court dress is made Of coarse
yellow grass cloth and for corOnet they
wear black lacquered affair that looks like
u distracted nightcap. ! did not see siu.
gle gem, jewel, or ornament OF any kind, on
the person OF the Emperor, or on those Of
his courters. who comprised the great no
bility Of Japan.
From the audience chamber WAS taken
to another room, where ] found the five
great Councillors Of State, who, having been
presented to me. congratulated me on my
audience, and expressed their wonder and
astonishment at what they called my great
ness OF heart" When | asked for an ex.
planation they said that they were filled with
admiration to sec me erect, look the awful
Tycoon" in the face. speak plainly to him,
hear his reply-and all this without any tre.
pidstion. or any "quivering Of the muscles Of
the side" write oil this TO let you see
that the japanese Princes understand the
use Of your compliments. ] was then shown
present Of fifteen silk robes from his Ma
jes,y and was taken TO room where ban.
quet, net out on sixty trays, twelve inches
high, was prepared TOR my single stomach.
There was food enough FOR one hundred hun
CRY men.
You must know that the dinner trays
like the brcecbes) are mark Of rank in
Japan, and the rank Is indicated by tho
heigh. Of the trays, which vary from three
TO twelve inches 10 height. Again, If the
trays sre ls-quercd, II diminisbes the honor
connected with the actual height Of the tray,
for it indicates that il can be used on uno-
thcr occasion; but il il be made Of unpain,ed
cypress wood, the honor il complete, for il
says, ~ plain ~ words can do. 'you are 10
sublime in your rank tina, no one dare To eat
from tray that you have used !" Ny at
tention was particularly called to the heigh,
Of trays, and 10 the aat,eriog fact that "by
special edict." they were made Of unvar-
nisbed wood
THE BANQUET AND rHg CEREMONIES.
You must know that this same dinner had
been the subject of grave discussion both 10
5im0da and Jcddo. They were very aDx o1s
! should eat at the Palace. replied that
would DO 50 cbeeriully. provided person or
prsons Of suitable rank would eat with me ;
bai ssid that sell respect would forbid my
eating at the table where my hos, or his
representative declined 20 st down. When
had admired the very neat arrangement Of
the banqlet. va. again asked 10 sit down
] then said Say TO bis Majesty that
thank. him for hs offered entertainment &"
At las, the whole affair was sent 10 my
quarters where distributed Il among my
Simoda fOllowers
After the exhibition Of the dinner ] was
rscDhducted N the room first entered, and
after had drunk 81 the celebrated pow
dered tea" left. being conducted 10 the
eu,rance by the two ehamh@rinins, who
koOcked beads ~iih all the fore that wa
doe 70 one who had seen The king and YET
lived By The way, ] forgot TO state that
tn formula fan audience, which va. ''kneel
down, knock head. 10 tina, the by.,apd.rs
can kssr yoor skall crack. Il II ever DID eH.
j., a. the Cour, oi Jeddo, Was 10, used 10
my case A fam, request vas made 70 me
q, -,moda' that ] vouh kne.i, bu. tod
them the rsgaes, ~ss od.D.ive ADD mo-, not
h. REPEATED That ended II.