The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-06-07
A Japanese Despatch Home.

| Although, says the Philadelphia inquirer
our Washington correspondent has been un-
able thus far to obtain any copies of the Jap
anese dispatches to their government, a
gentleman of this city has been fortunate
enough to obtain the sight of friendly letter
of one ofthe commissioners to an acauain-
tance in Niphon. Under promise to con-
ceal the name of the writer. he has been au-
thorized to publish it, and has kindly placed
it in our hands. We insert it below
| FROM THE SACRED CITY OF WASHINGTON.
Most Esteemed Hrkodadt We have
been invited to visit next in order, the great
city of Philadelphia, or, 1.-The place consecra-
ted to fraternal affection" the capital of the
province which is the birth place of the
| American Tycoon. Our reception, we are
informed, will be attended with the most
august ceremonies that the city ever offers
to its most distinguished guests. The Coun-
clImen, after examining our credentials, have
decided to place us ON a footing with ''tbe
most favored foreign Fire Companies
The details of onr reception by the Amer
lean Tycoon, you have in my former letter.
He is called, not Tycoon, bu. "President,"
sometimes, however, by strange analogy
of language, "old COON" at first tho't this
an attempt to pronounce our japanese phrase,
but am assured that it is strictly idiomatic,
and implies astuteness and age. 1t certain
ly seemed applicable to the head of the nation
who received us.
We find it very difficult to comply with
the demands of our sovereign, forbidding us
to touch the women of this country. Not
from any disposition on our part to disobey,
but from their desire to seize us by the
hands. They are apparently allowed here
the greatest freedom, but it is only in ap-
pearance.
Every woman. married or single, is fasten-
ed in cage of bamboo or flexible steel, ex-
tending from the waist to the feet. This
seems to be so arranged as to give them no
uneasiness, but they are very much ashamed
ofit, and concealit under so many coverings,
that it renders their api earance quite ludi-
crous. They are unrestricted as to the upper
part Of their persons, which they are per-
mitted to expose as much as they wish.-
This they seem to avail themselves Of and
on all occasions of high ceremony wear very
low dresses As in all barbarous nations,
they slit their ears and suspend from them
ornaments of gold and silver. They also
paiut and. powder themselves, and after
greasing their hair, twist it into fantastic
shapes, and f,sten it up with long pins and
combs. Some Of fthem would be fine looking,
if they did not disfigrre themselves by the
hideous aud vulgar custom of wearing eye-
brows and keeping their teeth white. Be
assured, therefore, that we are in no danger
being captivated by their appearance we
feel nothing but regret tllat the barb irous
and absurd custom Of man should thus des-
troy the charm which cultivation and re-
finement would so much improve.
Nothing strikes us so much as the want
of respect these barbarians show even to their
highest digntaries /; they never hesitate to
spit before them, and it requires considerable
activity to prevent being spat upon at all
timos. The custom of wearing one sword,
it seems, originated from this cause, as it
enables you to avoid with great facility the
saliva of y,'ur neighbor. Chewing tobacco
is much priced, it seems, from the saliva it
produces, which is preserved when possible,
in handsome vases ofporcelain, and placed
in prominent positions None of the inhab-
itants do reverence by crawling Oh their
bellies, except after the election of the new
Tycoon, when those in search Of office come
to the central city and perform the ceremony
Those who are fortunate enough IL meet
with honor from the Tycoon seldom walk
uprightly during their whole term of office
The unfortunate applicants become at ono.
censore or spies upon the others, and their
silencs has to be bought at high price All
public servants have their price, which rises
or falls according to the necessities of the Ty-
coon. But shall reserve my reflections on
political topics till have another opportuni-
ty to address you. Until then, rest in
peace. ........... -.......as