Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-05-25

rho Japanese Embnssr.


pan, which has just landed on our shores,
aud consists Of II persons, some Of whom
are among the highest Of rank in that
country, are receiving particular attention
from the Executive officers Of our govern
ment. II was our good fortune to be in
Washington on the day of their arrival,
and to witness their landing and reception
at the Navy Yard, on the 14th. Below will
be found some correct remarks in regard to
them, their country, and the object of their
mission;
Considerable interest is felt just now in
this Embassy, which arrived in Washing
ton on Monday, May l4lh, where they were
received with distinguished consideration.
Very little is known of the Japanese, as
they have kept themselves aloof from the
rest of mankind. For the favor of this
visit our country is indebted to the exertions
of Mr.. Townsend Harris, our Consul Gener-
al in Japan, whose rumored death has
caused general regret. 1t is to him, moro
than to any other man, that we are indebted
for the presence upon our soil of the first
embassy which the Japanese Government
has sent across the seas. He had an exten-
sive acquaintance with the customs and
languages of the East, and rare judgment
and skill in adapting himself to the pecu-
liarities Of the oriental nations. He has
resided in japan as our Consul General
since 1865. He won the confidence and
affection of the people, and particularly OF
the Imperial officers, and was invited to
the capital and admitted to the presence Of
the Emperor, an honor which had not pre-
viously been granted to any foreigner and
which has been granted to none SINCE
He soon had the pleasure of receiving the
assent of the Emperor to tho treaty o.
1858, by which our present commercial
privileges in Japan, and the permission fol
our missionaries to carry on their work
there, have been secured.
Mr.. Harris took care to provide that nc
embassy should leave for any foreign ma
ton until the mission which is now al
Washington should arrive at our capital
Whatever advantages may accrue to us
from the friendly relations in which we now
stand with Japan is largely due to the sa
gacity, enterprise and perseverance Of Mr.
Harris.
The following is said to be an officia
list of the Ambassadors and their suite:
Simme-Bujen-no-Kami, Chief Ambassa.
dor.
Muragake-Aw -Kami, Assistant
Ambassador.
Ogure-Bungo-no- Kami, Chief Advisor
to the Ambassadors.
Morita Okatarn, Officer of the Treasury.
Naruse Gensiro, Vice. Governor, belong.
ing to the Ambassadors.
Sharkara Jhugoro, Officer belonging to
the Ambassadors.
Hetaka Kasoaburo, Osakabe Tetstoro,
two Officers belonging to the Adviser.
Measake, Morayama, two Official Physi-
clans to the Embassy.
Matsmoto Sannojo, Yosida Sagosaiman,
two Under Officers, belonging to the EN-
bassy.
Nam-ou-ra Go-Hat-cee-ro, Officer, Chief
Interpreter.
Masuche Sanjuro, Chuge Josegoro two
under officers belonging to the Treasury.
Kuri Sima-Hico-H -Hatsiro, Sewo-Sawa-
Scogero, two under officers, belonging to
the Adviser.
Fat-eisch Tokojuro, Fat-eisch Onogero,
two interpreters.
Cowasaki, Physician to the Embassy.
Two Ambassadors, eighteen officers, fifty
one servants; in all, seventy-one persons.
The Chief Ambassador, Prince of Bujen,
who is a titular prince and Chamberlain
of the Tycoon, or Emperor, is thus decribed ;
He is small, delicate, olive complexion,
rather good looking, and Al years old. He
dresses in a sort Of loose dressing gown
talma pijama-and white CATERS. His
under dress is of white silk and linen, which
comes up around the neck, instead Of a
necktie. The Japaese wear great variety
of colors-a custom among the servants as
we'll as the upper classes-the favorite color
seems to be sky-blue. The gown gener-
ally worn is a sort of slate color or purple
the talma of sky-blue, and the pijama Of
Grape silk of the most beautiful figure and
texture.
The style of the pijama is a sort Of loose
trowsers fastened at the waist by a silk
cord and tassel, which hangs down by the
side like sword belt. The back part is
drawn over fiat hoop or thin board, about
two inches wide, that fits close around the
small of the back. The sides on the hip
are scolloped out, showing the gown down
as far as the knee. This dress is not worn
by servants. The style of wearing the
hair IS the same with all classes. The
front part Of the head is shaved; the hair
which is quito long, is combed from the
sides and back part of the head, upon The
part shaved, and tied up in knot. Thei
hair is jet black, very stiff and glossy, mad,
so by "ebe oil' and other ingredients whieI
they use. His Excelency wears white cot
ton CATERS, which are only worn by thos'
of high rank.
He wears two swords, but no jewelry
and usually carries fan. Upon the sleeve
and back and breast of the talma ar,
round white marks about the size of dol
lar, which indicate their rank, and are usec
in signing their name instead of writing it
The court dress Of all the officers bears th'
mark Of the Tycoon; this dress is only
worn on state occasions. Attached 10 th'
girdle round the waist hangs pipe and to
bacco box; the latter is beautifully gilded
IN