The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-04-25
The Inpnnese YisItors.

doings on the occasion OF the late arrivals
there from Japan. The reception Of the
japanese Admiral and suite, who came in
tho Candinmarrah, BY the Supervisors of
San Francisco was the first of Jetes. The
San Francisco Times, in speaking of that
reception, says:
When the Japanese came in, the Admiral
was first, and following him came the Cap
tains, one of whom acted as an interpreter,
he being the only one Of them speaking
English. Next came the four Lieutenants,
or two sworded dignitaries; next the Sur.
geon, and last tn six attendants. The Ad.
miral and the two Captains were seated by
the side of the Presidents stand; the Doc.
tor modestly placed himself in seat behind
them, and the attendants sat down outside
the bar, taking care of the waterproof over.
coats, the umbrellas and clogs Of their su
periors, who, upon entering the chamber,
had thrown them aside.
The Admiral was dressed very plainly, as
indeed were all the guests, in dark coats,
very much like the Chinese, and with color
ed neckcloths, which descended over the
bosom. The Admiral and the Captains
wore loose pantoloons of highly colored
calico or silk; the Lieutenants wore palmer
breeches. All the dignitares wore splendid
swords; and in addition the Lieutenants
wore short swords, which were hung imme.
diately above the longer ones, and in more
horizontal position. Great admiration was
expressed by all who examined these swords;
and they were freely shown, though Mr..
Kern stated that in Japan it was considered
the hight of impertinence to ask to see and
handle a soldiers weapons. He said that
the japanese, as usual thing, never allow
their swords to leave their scabbords except
for genuine and earnest use. There was but
!, little ornament about the dresses, with the
. exception of the weapons, which were high.
: ly adorned, and gold buckle or two, which
D the Lieutenants wore on their bosoms.
: The manner Of wearing the hair of these
n Japanese was the one usual to that notion
y that is, shaving in front and bringing the
8 rest together and tying it into q thin tail
d ooped and pointed forwards; but there were
v two exceptions. One of the Captains, sale
= to be one of the most active men that evel
e stood on a deck, had none of his hail
b shaved, but gathered it all loosely together
g in knot on the top. The other exception
v
e head was shaved, presenting a very curious
e appearance. In features the whole party
e very much resembed Chinese; but all hal
more intelligence and good humor in thei
n faces. The Admiral had very intelligent
e and gentlemanly face, and the active Cap.
. tain face and restless eye which would a t.
: tract attention anywhere.
e The U. S. ship Po,chattan followed in
few days bringing the Japan Embassy to oul
S Government.
The Alta California says:
The japanese Embassy consists of seven
ty-viz: four Ambassadors, eighteen at
e tacbees of the Embassy, and fifty servant:
/ and attendants. The Japanese occupy 0
large space on the PoWhattan-tW6 rows o
D houses have been constructed on either SIDE
of the quarterback for them. They have
been carefully observant of everything or
boord, from the day of their starting. Thei
D draughtsmen have taken copies of the ma
4 chnery, and notes have been made OF every
thing that has transpired on board, by
S censor, or secretary, who has also bad copy
n mode, which, with the notes that transpires
,. up to their departure hence, will be forward
J. ed to the Emperor by the next vessel Ieav
ing for Japan. Their food on board has beer
mostly rice; for the cooking Of which the,
= had place of their own, and the crlinpr,
operations have been performed by natv
cooks. The three principal digntaries or
hereditary Princes, or rulers OF provinces il
Z their native land, end are about equal il
., rank. The proper title of each in Eng Ian
u :. would be "Hs Roya Highness," and in tn
n n United States ellis Excel:ency," and bcin
'o the highest title under the sovereign ruler
'' The fourth dgnitary (Morta Okataro) i
- sent out to act as treasurer, on aCaount Q
y, his sound judgment and prudence; it is hi
~ province to advise and counsel. He is tn
~ Lord Palmerston Of the Embassy, and moth
y ing can be done without his approval. H
&c appears to be clothed by the Emperor wit
y" very high power.
&c The Supervisors of San Francisco ten
. dered bail. The Ambass adors, however
-. declined the compliment of u ball. or othe
~ public occasion here, on the ground, probC
:; bly,, that the dignity of their mission woul
:. =, be in measure lessened by participating i
- any such demonstration, prior to their gran
- interview with the President Of the Unite
= States.
- A presentation was had. The Chief Am
basador-who is remarkably dignifed an
!; intelligent looking man--first listened a
. tentively to the interpreter as the name on
officer was announced, and then with coul
, teous inclination of the head, shook hand
!, heartily with the gentleman, and the secon
- in the embassy and the Censor did the same
The japanese were dressed in nearly tn
= same manner as those of the Candinma'
- rah - according to rank-wore the hal
ID the same wsy, and sported about tn
,f same texture and color of cloth. They ha
= - on patent leather shoes. 1t is said that tn
=, ~ Embassy is provided with the most splend
"a dresses, made for the grand presentalio
,s scene at Washington.> and which they d
~ not intend to disturb until the time comes I
~ meet the President.
Every beholder was struck with the sell
~ possessed demeanor of the guests. Thoug
y the scenes which now met their gaze mus
% have been one of intense interest to theI
ct for novelty, they seemed to consider tn
m display as due the august position which the
= held under their Emperor, and not one
- them, by sign or word, evnced either sui
IA prise or admiration. This stoicism, howey
- er, is distinguishing feature with the J,
panese. 1t is part of their creed never
appear ostonished at anything, and it mu
be rare sight indeed which betrays the
of into an expression Of wonder. They wer
=. however, in the highest degree delighte
with the attentions thus shown them, ar
le the memory OF them will live long on
o. pleasantly 10 their hearts.