The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-05-18
The Japanese Embassy,

!
rived off Sandy Hook on tbe-ayh. with tho
Intention of landing them in New York City;
but. being intercepted by orders from the
Navy Department, Immediately proceeded
to Hampton Roads, in order that the EN-.
bassy might make their first appearance in
Washington. FroU-uanpton Roads to
Washington INF were conveyed by tho U S.
ship Ph'fddeipha.
The Embassy arrived ut Panama, from
San Francisco, in the PoWhott0n. on the
24h ult., and by n special train were con.
veyed across the lsthmus, arriving at
Aspinwal on the morning of the 2jth,
where they took the Roanoke, which
vesse-says the New York Times cores
pondent-has been kept at Aspinwall one
year for the reception Of this Embassy.
The Embassy has eighty tons of bag.
gage, a large amount Of treasure, and
fifteen large boxes Of presents for the Pres.
ident Of the United Staes, among which
are several very handsome rifles, manu-.
faclured at Ycddo, and are an ingenious
improvement upon the Sharp rife.
The Embassy having pariaken Of re-
freshments commenced uponSfhc selection
and arrangement OF their quarters, six
large and airy departments having been
erected upon either side Of the gun deck,
which, with he Captains office and Flag
Secretary's state.room accommodated the
| Ambassadors and all the officers. The
several rooms were examined, and, when
a selection was made, ticket posted upon
the door Of the room, and so on, until all
were accommodated. The servants were
quartered upon tie gun-deck, between
the guns. Alarge japanese copper.range,
with their cooking utensils was placed on
the gun deck, where the japanese cooks
were soon at work. the provisions having
been brought with them. The two Am
bassadors, Adviser and Officer Of the
Treasure messed with the Flag Officer
and the Captain. The other officers,
eighteen in number messed with the ward
room officers. The starboard steerage
Was given up to their officers for n chOV.
cho0 room, where they could take their
tea, and own peculiar dishes served by
their own cooks at all hours of the day.
The Embassy cannot remain in the
United States longer than twenty five or
thirty days, having the most posiiy e
ordersirom the Ty con (which,in English,
means "Great Master" the Commander.
in-Chie( Of The Empire, to relurhto JopGn
dy tile first Of August,ond certainty not ioter
M0n tie tenth Of Hot month. This limited
stay is very much to be regretted, be.
cause the Ambassadors and officers will
have but brief period in which to see
our country, and the working of its insli.
tulions, and examine into the agricultural
commercial and mechanical pursuits o
our people.
The dress of the Japsneso is thus de.
scribed:
Tho Japanese wear great variety of col
ors-a custom among tho servants us wei
as upper cnsses--the favorito color seem,
to be sky blue,
The gown generally worn is a sort of slate
color or purple; the talma ofsky blue, and
the pljama of Grape silk OF the most beauti
, full figure aud texture.
The style of the pijama is q sort of loose
, trowers, fastened around the waist By sill
cord and tassel, which hangs down by tn,
} side like that of sword belt. The back
part is drawn over q fiat hoop or thin boarn
about two inches wide, that fits close arounc
tho small of tho back.
The sides on the hip arc scalloped out
showing the gown down as far rs tho knee
This dress is not worn by servants.
t Tho style of wearing the hair is tho same
with all classes. Tho front part of tho heaC
ia shaved the hair. which Is quito long ia
combed from the sides and back part of the
, head. upon tho par, shaved, aud tied up in
, n knot. Their hair is jot black, very stiff
and glossy, made 80 by "obo OIL and other
ingredients which they use.
His cxcellency wears white cotton gnitcrs
which arc only worn by princes and those
OF high rank; tho lower classes are not al
lowed TO wear them Ho wears two swords
hut no jewolry, and usually carries fan
hats are seldom worn.
They make beautiful paper mache hats
, but they seldom wear them. Upon tn,
sleeves. back aud breast of tho talma ar,
, round white marks, about tho size of u dol
lar, which indicate their rank. aud aro use,
in siguing their name instead of writing il
= They arc family or masters marks; whel
8 of the former, they arc only worn by th
eldest son.
Tho court dress Of all tho officers boar
IS tho mark of tho Tycoon; tho dress is onl
o worn on state occasions. attached to tn
:, girdo round tho waist hangs pipo and to
y bacco box; the latter is beautifully gilGcd
and resembles very much lady's pOrtmoniC
THE OBJECTS OF THE EMBASSY. ETC.
The principal object of tho mission is t.
= get an English copy of :ho treaty signed b.
q the President of tho United States. Tn
a original was burnt in the great fro ut Jodd
two years ago. Tho copy in japanese wa
saved, This they bring with them, and
Il copy of it (not signed) and a letter fror
q the tycoon to the President.
,r Tho box containing these documents
!. looked upon by them ns almost sacred,
= ia called tho "treaty box" and is never al
Il lowed out of their sight. 1t is box thre
If feet long twenty.s inches in depth an
eighteen inches wide, covered with red me
rocco leather and neatly sewod round tn
y edges. There aro three "japanned" boxt
a placed together, and then covered. Arouu
= the box is u light frame. aud when earrieC
3 is borne on the backs OF four men by pole
ii They bring fifreon boxos of presents ia
,i tho President, and a largo stack of thc
most ingenious manufactures. embracing
{, large quantity Of beautiful silks procatel
D. linen, crapo silks pongoos. poplins, and S
n forth. of every conceivable style and patterl
n. II would require an experienced dry good
is clerk to give tho proper names to hund REQ
Of articles which they have in the dry gooC
II line.