Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-05
QQlOrtestcr Daily Spp.
The Japanese Embassy to the Inite,
States.

"~P-'"ese E-Inplssy to the United
Jeddo correspondent of the journal of
Commerce, gives the following account of the
Japanese embassy, soon expected in this coun-
try. He says:
The first ambassador is only % years old.
though he looks like 4 man of 10 or 80 years
The second ambassador is all of 50, and the
counselor of about the same age, All are
princes, but not hereditary, and among the
most distinguished statesmen of the empire.
In their manners and bearing, while there is a
visible seli-reSpect and modest dignity, there
could be nothing more simple and free of self
coneelt, display, and arrogance. 1t has been
most incorrectly stated in some of the letters
from Japan, that one or two members of the
embassy are ceaSOrS or spies upon the conduct
OF the ambassadors, than which nothing could
be further from the TRUTH as l learn from the
interpreters. The individual designated as
the counselor was the one unucky called the
Censor or SPY, whereas he was simply selected,
from his wisdom and experience, to be the adj
wiser of the ambassador in whatever matter
might require consultation i'll the Circumstance
es Of their ntried position. lie is of low
n. tature, but well formed, and though his face is
0m0mewhat marked by the small pox it beams
with intelligence and kindness. He is by no
means Nestor in age, though required to full
fiji Nestor's duties.
Both of the ambassadors are rather tall and
thin in form, with long and sharp faces, and, as
with all the japanese, of dark complexion and
Jet dark hair, so far as any is left by the bar
Der, for they have singular fashion in dress
ing the hair, in which the men expend as much
care as the women, and take as much pride
and pleasure in its neat and fashionable adjust.
men, All is shaved of to the very skin, ex-
cept around the temples, and low down in the
back OF the neck, from which it is brought up
on all sides to the top of the head and fastened
by string, and then bent forward, well stiff,
ened with pomatum, in queue about four
inches long, and Of the size of ones fingers,
and pointed forward over the front part of the
head, which is left completely denuded of all
hair. They dress in silk robes, and wear two
swords at their sides, according to universal
usage with the higher classes. No nation pos
sesses so many elements Of the Anglo Saxon
mind as the Japanese-having the bump called
gumption, or common sense, in larger develop.
ment, with little or nothing of the reasoning,
wild and mpulsive-though their books, their
pictures, and works of art, show they are not
wanting in taste and imagination
Among the under officers are an artist and
historiographer of the embassy, who are at
tached to the ambassadors. The name of the
artist is Yorsda Sagosagemon, whose quick
and searching eye, with a face kindled up
with senslblhty and benevOence, at once indi-
Gates that he is a poet or painter. Matsm0to
SannoJlo, the hiStoriographer about thirty
years old, is plain and sedate, thinking twice
to speaking once. He might be reckoned
among the philosophers if we did not know
he is historian. One face among the whole
will arrest instant attention, for it is as light
as the face of most Americans, and withal
marked with all the lines and features of beau
tul, manly beauty, while the entire form is
graceful, and all the air and bearing, and man
ner, such as please and attract and indicate
life of affuence and familiarity with the most
refined and elevated circles. He is the son of
one of the richest and most powerful princes
OF the empire, and besides is possessed of
great wealth in his own right. He reads and
speaks Dutch with facility he wishes lie I'M
derstood English, whose importance he APP
preciates, but is deferred from the attempt to
master it by the difficulties which he sees, or
lmaglnes in its nature. y more elegant and
accomplished young gentleman is not to be
found in the most accomplished society. His
name is Skahara Jhugoro.
The doctors are all young men, whose
heads are shaver to the quick, according to
the usage in the profession in Japan. They
are often taken for Buddhist priests or monks,
who observe the same practice. Anatomy
and surgery are utterly unknown in Japan, I'M
less within few years past the Dutch doctor
ofNagasaki has succeeded in communicating a
little knowledge to some thirty pupils he has
been teaching under the patronage OF the gov
eminent; and in medicine little is done be-
yond roots and herbs, and charms. These
young doctors, though courteous and quiet,
seem less intelligent and inquisitive than any
other class of their country on board, and evil
IDENTITY command no respect from them. had
hoped to be able to awake some curiosity and
induce them to commence the study of Eng
fish on the long voyage, that they might i'll
some measure avail themselves OF the advan.
tages to be derived from books and intercourse
with the profession in our country, and go
back to Japan prepared to be the benetactors
of their race. The present aspect, however,
is far from from encouraging.
The. japanese send no "bonze" or Budd
hist priest to accompany the mission nor do |
see an idol or picture or the least symbol of
their religion among them. Evidently the ia.
panese attach the smallest importance and ga
credness to their religion, however expensive
and ornate their temples, since no less than
seven have recently been expurgated of their
idols at Kanagawa, only within the distance
of three or four miles, and that by the order of
the government, and given up for the use of
Americans and Europeans, among whom are
three American missionary families. Even
the priests take all very quietly, who have
been expelled with their idols