The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-08-19
Japanese Accounts of the state
of the Country.

The Tokugawa Tycoon has held the
Government for three hundred years, and
his power had grown very great when the
coon explained to the Mikado their re-
quest in regard to the opening Of ports
and commerce; but he had so many diff
culties in obtaining his consent, that he
was obliged to conclude treaties with for
eiguers for the benefit Of the country with
out that consent. This is the cause of
the difficulty which has arisen between the
Tycoon and Daimios.
As the Mikado has been accustomed tc
the long peace of several hundred years.
and strictly adheres to the unchanged old
of the country, so he has listened to the
Daimios, according to whose opinion be
has given orders.
The secret plan of Satsuma to deprive
the power of the Tycoon had been made
several years before. ard Choshiu has uni
ted with him. But Choshiu first COM
menced war near the Mikado's palace, and
he also attacked foreigners. Thus he in
various ways offended the Tokugawa. As
soon as Satsuma found that the power of
Tokugawa gradually grew less he differed
in opinion with him as to the opening of
Hiogo Port with the view Of ultimately
opposing him. But the Tycoon being I'M
willing to bring disturbance into the coun-
try, of his own will resigned his office, sur
rendering his power to the Alikado. At
this Satsuma and Others have been much
more encouraged, and entered Yedo, and
plundered the people.
To ascertain where these plumbers came
from, the guards of the city kept close
watch ut some houses in town. One of
the plunderers fired gun at them, and
shot one or two of them dead but after
wards the guard still kept themselves
quiet, and traced them instead of killing
them. They discovered that they belong
ed to Satsuma. Tokugawa gave orders to
his troops to punish them, and destroy the
yashikis of Satsuma. This being done, the
survivors fed to Mako, and reported to
their superiors what had taken place in
Yedo.
On hearing it, their anger became furi-
Gus; and they sending the troops of Salts
una and Choshiu under the pretext of the
Imperial order commenced war at Foosh-
imi and Yedo. Soon after the Tycoon
left the castle of Osaka the men commence
ed plundering, under the pretext that
they were making capture. 1t cannot be
understood why Satsuma SO often changed
the mark which he made at the door of
every house, the owner of which had pre-
sented money to Tokugawa: he first mar
ked that property which was captured by
Satsuma, and he marked again that pro-
perty which was kept by him and no one
could touch it, lastly, he marked that pro-
perty which was examined by him.
The Mikado has raised his forces to at
tack Tokugawa and put some of Satsuma
and Choshiu's men as advancing troops,
but the Tycoon knows that the Mikado's
orders should be observed, so he has gone
out of the castle and confined himself at
WoOyeno in order to show that he shall
not oppose the Imperial forces. 1t is ru-
mored that the men of Satsuma entered
Yedo yesterday with warlike equipments.
Any one who gets near the Mikado and
talks often with him can be listened to by
him.
During the time when Tokugawa was in
state for three hundred years
the Mikado left the Government under
his charge without listening to any Dali
MOS. Lately when Choshiu fired guns
near the Mikado's palace Satsuma united
with Tokugawa IN attacking him in Mako,
but when Tokugawa was engaged in at
lacking Choshiu in his country, Satsuma
did exert himself in giving assistance to
Choshiu. Now Satsuma and Choshiu
have Joined together, to attack Tokugawa
under the Mikado's order. 1t is very
;trage that in Japan any one who gets the
lag of Nishiki (the flag of the Mikado),
IAN be acknowledged as the Imperial force.
The Mikado being young has not been
crowned yet, but he is going to Osaka
With the troops to attack Iokugawa troops;
out there is no vessel prepared to go to
7 edo. at Hiogo and Kobe; and if he in
ends to come by the 1'okiabo why he
caves Oaska unguarded, which. lies west
ward of Mako.
Some say he has postponed his depart
Ire for 0aska, as he does not like it. !
There is another rumour that Satsuma |
md Choshiu begin to dislike each other
N account of the former having planned
o carry the Mikado over to Osaka.
Though it cannot be clearly understood
" foreigners, it seems that neither the
likado, Tokugawa or the Daimios is right,
5 one day they are good friends, and the
ext day they turn out to be great enc
MES to each other.
In consequence ofthe long peace which
as lasted for three hundred years, the
eople have become luxurious and idle,
nd those who want to strengthen the
Military power are apt to become too
ough. They cannot stand committed with
ut inclning to either side, because they
re in want Of education, which is Of great
st importance in judging Alright. There
re some, amongst the Japanese, who are
nxious to establish schools to educate
lie people; then it cannot be said that all
lie Japanese are fools and barbarous.
hey ought to select and promote wise
nd virtuous persons, and call full atten-
on to the moral education of the people.
A STORY FOR SwEARERs.-A gentle
an once heard laborIng man swear
rribly in the presence of number of
5 companions. He told him it was a
'wardly thing to swear so in company
ben he dared not do it by himself The
an said he was not afraid to swear at any
NE and at any place.
81 will give you ten dollars" said the
,ntleman, if you will go into the village
urchyard, at twelve O'Clock tonight,
rear the same oaths which you have ut
red here, when you are alone with your
3D." "Agreedr' said the man, It's an