The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-18
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
hospitable, 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 alluvisl valleys. mag
nificent wood and tab C lands meet the eye
on all sides. The camelia japonica 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
chrysanthemums, rhodOdendrous, the
orange, the fig and pomegranate 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,o00000 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, and parterres of the most exquisite
flowers are trained around the humblest
dwellings
The Tycoon is the great temporal ruler
of Japan; he is Commander in 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 others 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 1853. 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.
eigners were congregated, 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 excitement and restored order.
The distinctions in Japan between peo
pie and officials are very great Caste IL
not the same as that which is known in
India; but the 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 on,
sword. The sh0rt sword Is the peculial
sword fe5 defending personal honor. Ia