The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-05-19
Japan and the Japanese

The arrival of the Japanese embassage,
with all its pomp and circumstance, very nat
nrally excites a general desire to obtain more
definite knowledge in regard to that people
and empire than 10 readily accessible to most
persons. The splendid volumes got up under
the auspices of Commodore Perry's Expedi-
ton, and published at great expense by our
government, havenot obtained popular cir
culation, and are so voluminous that yery
few even OF those who possess them have
ever done much more than look over the pic.
lures they contain.
The Empire of Japan is composed of four
principal islands Nippon, Yesso, Sikok and
kinsin, with some thousands of small ones,
including the Lew Chew group, lying along
the eastern coast of Asia, and washed by the
Sea of Japan and the North Pacific Ocean
The Empire embraces an area Of about l60,-
oOO square miles, and population of some
4o,ooO,ooO people-exceeding Great Britain
and Ireland about one fifth both in area and
population, with similar, but rather more
genial, climate. Volcanoes are numerous,
aud their action has been very violent from
time immemorial, while earthquakes are of
common occurrence. Nippon, the principal
island, has range Of mountains throughout
lie entire length, some peaks of whiah extend
into the region OF perpetual snow, though
they are mainly of moderate altitude, and
All ha.~
moderately fertile, the scenery delightful,
and the fora abundant and magnificent. The
mines OF precious metals--gold and silver
are numerous and rich, while there ia great
wealth of copper and coal, though but little
iron and tin. The country is well supplied
with fresh water, and abounds in lakes, riy-
ers and springs.
The Japanese cultivate and live upon rice,
wheat, barley, corn, potatoes and beans
They also raise and consume considerable
quantities of tea and tobacco. The leaves
Of the mulberry tree furnish material for
myriads OF sllkworms, and the bark supplies
the people with paper, and. when glazed and
oiled, with garments; while another tree Of
great value yads abundant quantities Of Ja-
pan varnish, with which all their household
utensils are covered. The country 10 vel
timbered with, in addition to these trees, oak
mr., cypress, bamboo. DC. Timber is an OBJ.
)ect IN Japan, as, in consequence of freouen,
earthquakes, the houses are nearly ell buil
OF wood.
BIRDS are numerous, and include most o,
the species common in Europe and Asia
There are few wild animals on account Of tn,
dense population and high cultivation of tn,
country; and, as animal food is not used
only such animals as are required for car.
rage arc raised. Rats and dogs are abun
oah'i the latter are held sacred, and the PEG
pie are required by Law to provide for thei
sustenance.
The Japanese seem to be OF mixed rac
OF Mongoia and Nalayans, and their Ian
gnage, religion, customs aud traditions. in.
olcate that the aboriginal stock OF Melav
have received immense immigration. III MON
golans from China many centuries AFRO
ihey havst two sovercigns ; the eecesiastict,
osilea N3ka1o, 4ad ea. eivii or tempn.a
tycoon, who is at the head OF kind Of f.,
aai system. The origin u this peeuli ar;,
IL Saio 10 De derived from the fact that man
centuries ago Chinese conqueror sci zed Il
reins OF government and establishes h;mso
a. the Chief Priest 81 the Bhuiiist relpio,
which be introduced, and nppo; r, "a = =, /,
d-ra'y for temporal aT.irs, Who eyep,uall
asserted bis independence, a,aa became :,
actual ruler of the Empire. The cis;l ca,
Ia Of the tycoon is st Yeds, which i .n n
mense CRY, containing more than > m,,l;,
OF people. The Tycoon 10 the soyst eigp