Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-02-19
Japan and the Japanese.

fstNNNftAf OVNf ttft ftits
Japan and the Japanese.
THE islands of Japan are several hun.
dred In number and generally fertile and
healthy, The seaboard is stormy and in.
hospitahle but there are very many fine
harbors to be found and excellent anchor.
age ground within, Terrific storms and
typhOons are common to the waters Of
Japan. The interior country is abundant.
ly watered, and rich alluvial valleys, mag
nitlcent wood and tab @ lands meet the eve
on all sides. The camelia iapouiCa is often
seen growing to an altitude of sixty feet;
the acacia, the camphor wood trees. the
palm trees the tall cedars, the variety Of
chrysanthcmums, rhododondrons, the
orange, the fig and pomegranatc are on
every hand, and add intense beauty and
interest TO the landscape. The summer
nights are always refreshing on the coast
In the interior the weather is exceedingly
sultry. The population of the country
might be about 3S,000.0O0 of souls. The
population OF Jeddo has decreased, owing
principally to the reversal of the ancient
decree by the Tycoon requiring the great
Daimios to retain large representation
of their followers at the national capital :;
and then there have been some fearful fires,
burning down whole acres of houses and
destroying an immense number of lives
The ceilings, Partitions doors and win.
dows of Japanese houses are made of
paper. The true Japanese house Is open
ed front and rear, at the rear more partic-
ularly, aud parterres of the most exquisite
flowers are trained around the humblest
dwellinga.
The Tycoon is the great temporal ruler
of Japan he Is COMMANDMENT Chief of
the army and navy; he governs the
Treasury; coins all the current money of
the realm regulates the supreme, civil
and judicial business, and attends to in.
Vulnerable other matters The accounts
we hear now from Japan about the Mi
kado being deprived Of his share in the
dual Government-the spiritual element
are difficult to rely upon, because Jap
! anese affairs are mystery thrice mystified,
| and impossible to be fully and clearly un-
derstood and appreciated by foreigners
There is good deal of dissension among
the Daimios on the subject of trading with
the outside world Some of them favor
throwing open all the ports, while there
are othcra who would forever adhere to
the old and obstinate policy of sealing up
the entire seaboard. This very feeling on
this subject was the source of the troubles
which sprung up in Japan in 1868. A
strong party insisted upon the immediate
| closing up all the ports. The buildings of
the British Legation, at Jeddo, which had
| just been completed, were burned down
large numbers of angry and excited men
swarmed around those ports where for
cigners were Congregatod threatening to
! trample in the dust men, women and chill
dren of the barbarian race, but the wise
! AMI temperate action Of the Tycoon al
! layed the excl ement and restored order.
The distinctions in Japan between peo-
pie and officials are very great. Caste Is
not the same a. that which is known in
! India but tho barrier is almost wholly
] impossible between the common people
and the nobility. All persons and officials
of rank wear two swords; old men,
wealthy and retired merchants wear one
sword. The short sword is the peculiar
sword for defending personal honor. La
dies OF rank also carry small sword OF
dagger for self.defence or selfimmolation
like their lords, who perform the hari.kar
(the happy dispatch) when certain forms
of disgrace overtake them.
The people are more dlgniied, intelli
gent, self-reliant, generous and hospitablC
than any other Eastern or Indian people
The fashions of the japanese never
| change, fasLidiousness in dress is not prev.
alent, and nudity is not uncommon.
The transportation of burdens through
the interior is done by coolies, who trav.
erse the empire from one end to the other
| The temples of religion are in some in.
stances Of great magnificence, and are sit
uated amid scenes of the most exquisite
beauty.
The ingenuity of the japanese gives
them a claim to be called the yellow Yam.
KEGS Of the East For models of GOODNESS
and patience they excel, and in politeness
they are ahead of the French. The masses
of the women are low in stature, and more
like slaves of burden than helpmates ol
their lords. Some Of them in the higher
ranks are very finely formed, and with
teeth of pearly whiteness. The moment
however, that they marry, their teeth are
put IN mourning, dyed blacker than the
blaCkest ebony. 1t is very likely a
custom intended to draw a palpa-
BILE distinction between the married
and unmarried, and thus running
away with another mans wife be-
comes n very difficult and dangerous
operation for known bachelor. Tobacco
is smoked by all classes, even by women
The common people are neither very rich
nor very poor. As a nation the Japanese
have made more progress in eight years
than the Chinese in fifty. The Chinese dc
not understand the steam engine the
japanese are quite at home at it, The
Chinese will never, If. they can avoid it.
adopt foreign custom; the japanese are
ever disposed to adopt any practice they
deem useful. Some of their public process
sions present to the eye of the foreigner
unique, magnificent and unparalleled ap
pearance. Among the amusements is the
tournament practiced by the Daimois
Boar hunting has its votaries travelling
shows Of all kinds are to be met with, bu
no circus has yet made its appearance
The first newspaper was started at Yoke
hama during our rebellion. Japanes
Tommy, so well known in this country
was managing editor.
The largest gold coin is the obang, a
large as the palm of the hand, and wort
eighty-two dollars.
There is great respect shown 20 the dea,
in Japan.
The cemetery at Jeddo embraces owe
600 acres, and is filed with monument
and mausoleums of great beauty ana rich
ness. There is every reason to hope tina
Japan will be drawn into closer and NOR
confidential relations with this country
and if only the same dignifed, wise, con
ciliatory and humane policy be persisted
in which has already marked American
: transactions with Japan, no other natiol
will secure so much Of the confidence anC
: respect of this'highly intelligent andi nter
esting people -Ne0 York Adeocdte.
-e%-S~$
Mr.. Beecher on Lying,
4