The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-06-16
AJAPANESE DISPATCH.

The following letter, supposed to have
been written by member Of the Japanese
Embassy to friend in Japan, is nearly as
good as Dickens Notes for General Cir
culation," as regards the style in which it
touches US on the raw:
From the Sacred City Of Washington.
Mosr Esteemed HAKopApI We have
been invited to visit the next in order the
great city Of Phi del phia, or the place
consecrated to fraternal Affection" the cap
ital of the province which is the birth place
of the American Tycoon. Our reception,
we are informed, will be attended with the
august ceremonies that the city ever offers
to its most distinguished guests. The Coun-
cilmen, after examining our credentials,
have decided to place US on footing with
" the most fave red " foreign FIRE companies.
All the military of the province, ordna-
rily engaged in other ayocations, will be in
arms. This will enable US to report from
o,:- own observations, upon the extent of
the mi,, .ary power of this vast country. Do
no, fenr TIM this large display will induce
us 70 act oths, wise than becomes the dig
ui,y of the nation " although we have in
our whole empire but As, 200 soldiers, they
are fully equal to maintain .ur seouti'y'
armed with two swords and entire as Voeon
There will also be great exhibition OF
"squirts" upon our arrival. These, it
seems, are generally prominent on all such
occasions, and have quite notoriety here.
The details of our reception by the Amer
lean Tycoon you have in my former letter.
lie is called, not Tycoon, but " President"
sometimes, however, by a strange analogy
of language, old COON" lat first thought
this an attempt to pronounce our Japanese
phrase, but am assured that it is strictly
idiomatic, and implies astuteness and age.
1t certainly seemed applicable to the head
Of tho nation who received Us.
We find il 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 DISC
bey. but from their desire to seize us by our
hands. They are apparently allowed here
the creates. freedom, but it is only in ap-
pearance. Every woman, married or sim
gle, 10 fastened in a cage Of bamboo or
flexible steel, extending from the waist to
the feet. This seems to be so arranged as
very much ashamed of it, and conceal it
under so many coverings that it renders
their appearance very ladicrcus. They are
unrestricted A. to the upper par. of their
persons, which they are permitted to expose
~ 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 barharous nations, they slit their ears
and suspend from them ornaments of gold
aud silver. They also paint and powder
themselves, ami after grcasins their hair,
,wis. it into fantastic shapes, and fasten i,
up With long pins and combs. Some Of
them would be iine looking il they did not
disfgure themselves by the hideous and vul.
gar custom Of wearing eyebrows and keep
ing their teeth white. Be assured, there
fore, that We are IN no danger of being CAP
tivassd By their appearance; We feel moth
ing hu. regret that the harharous and absurd
customs Of man should thus destroy the
charms which cultivation and refinement.
would 80 much improve.
Nothing strikes US so mach A. the want Of
respect these barharisns show even II their
highest dignisaries; they never hesitate to
spit before them, and it reaaires Aoasidera-
we aSasAt ~ EsrsSBh oefak spss uP2u ~ Iii
times. The easson Of wearing one sword,
il seems, originated from this cause, ~ il
eaahass yoa to avoid With greater facility
the SALIVA Of -FOUR neizh5or. Chewing to-
hasco is much priced, il sesmx, from the
saliva it produces, which IL preserved when
possible. in handsome vases Of porcelain.
and placed N prominent pasiiions. None Of
the inhabitants do reverence By crawling on
saeir bellies. except after the election Of .
new tycoon, when those in search Of slsce
eame 10 the csnrL city and perform the
ceremony. Those Who are fortunate enoush
10 meet With honor from tee tycoon seldom
walk urrishsly during their whole term Of
ONCE. The unfortunate applicants become
81 once censors or spies upon the others,
and their Elsnce has 70 be bought a high
price.
Al, puhl;c sesvanss have their price, which
rises OF falls according to the necessities Of
the Tyecon. Bat shail reserve my Yessc-
items On political topics ill have snothe,
to address yos. Us;.l then,
rest II rssce. !