Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1862-01-11

A JAPANESE PRINTING 0FFICE.-A Hongkong
correspondent of the Boston TraUeer gives the fol-
lowing description of Japanese printing Office:
" L at once pushed ahead. and crossing the little
stone-arched bridge, which unites Desima with
Naga Xxi, was soon in of the principal streets
and opening large closed gate in the high and
massive wall on the street, stood in the spacious
court before the printing est blishment. How
much In contrast the ste of the Pagan JapanC
with that of the Dutch Christians Elegant shruI
and flowers adorned this court in front, while in
the rear Of the building rose tall pines and ever
green trees. which stretched their long, verdant
ems over the building, if to adorn, protect and
bless it. The Structure itself is spacious, neat,
and even handsome, the roof Icing in the Chinese
style OF architecture in their temples, and covered
with tiles, lnterlacing, and bidding defiance to
water, while the floors of two rooms in the Office
proper were covered with neat mats, and surround
ed by sliding paper walls, while the nailing is of
wood, handsomely painted. The establishment
belongs to the Government, and is managed by the
Government, whose officials were seated, as usual,
on the floor, end doing little or nothing since thI
tv days were to be spent, according to usage, IN
silently mourning for the Emperor, who had just
deceased, during which time all public Offices are
closed and all public business suspended. Indeed,
it was quite uncertain whether, under these cir
cumstances, could gain admittance. With the
usual Japanese courtesy, however, the doors were
opened. and was freely and politely shown all the
apartments and ma 9rials of the establishment.
On one side of the Office was q hand-press of re-
spectacle size, and in good condition, while the
other side was power-press, moved by wheel of
large diameter, in perfect order, and of sufficient
size to print the largest sheets usually struck off
gin the United States. The press was not in motion,
for the rea-on before given, and the rollers were
suspended over the wall, and reams of paper piled
mp near the press, and the workmen hanging about
idle, as if they were patiently waiting the exoira-
tion OF the days of mourning, to resume their Ia
bors. Besides these, there was another press, of
the smallest dimensions, on which, when made
second visit, time after, two men were strik-
ing off two octave pages of a new japanese work,
natural history the edition consisting of thirty
copies. 1t was the enterprise of young Japanee
doctor, who had bc en- instructed by Dutch physi-
clan residing in the city. Stands and cases
arranged as with US, one side of the Office having
the Roman type used in printing books and PAM
phlets in Dutch, and the other the japanese; for
types In the Japanese character are now cast In
Holland, and have displaced the wooden blocks
formerly used. The boxes for the Japanese letters
were arranged on the same principle as with us,
but in different order. The types, both Roman and
Japanese, were nearly new.
Some Of the paper used in printing is thick,
white and close, and receives fine impression.
1t is made neither of rags nor cotton, but of the
bark of tree, called the paper mulberry, and is
cheap as well as good. The printed sheets were
hung up over head TO dry, just as with US.
dozen or twenty hands are employed at the case
and the press, who appeared to be expert work.
men, and were quite courteous. The establishment
is managed entirely by japanese, not single
Dutchnan being admitted as workman.
The Japanese almost universally readers,
having their schools established by law, and books
for the use of the scholars and the people. Most
of these books are small, and full of the most lu
dcrous illustrations, from which Punch must have
borrowed many of his ideas, though inferior. Most
of the books are of little value in morals or science.