The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1869-07-29
1nnar - the Innanese.

Japan and the Japanese.
The islands of Japan are several hun
I dred in number and generally fertile and
/ healthy. The seaboard is stormy and in
/ hospitable, but there are many fine har-
bors to be found and excellent anchorage
ground Within. Terrific storms and ty-
Hphoons are common to Japan. The interi-
/ or country is abundantly watered, and
rich alluvial valleys, magnificent wood
and table lands meet the eye on all sides.
The camelia japonica is often seen grow
ling to an altitude of sixty feet; the acacia,
the camphor wood trees, the palm trees,
| the tall cedars, the variety of chrysanthe-
NUNS, rhododendFom, tie orange, the tg,
/ and the pomegranate are on every hand,
/ and add intense beauty and interest to the
landscape. The summer nights are al
ways refreshing on the coast In the in
/ terror the weather is exceedingly sultry.
The population Of the country might be
about IS, OO0, 600 souls. The population Of
Jeddo has decreased owing principally to
the reversal of the ancient decree by the
/ Tycoon requiring the great Daimois to re-
tain large representation of heir follow
ers at the national capital; and there. have
7 been some fearful fires, burning down
whole acres of houses and destroying an
/ immense number ofliyes.
The ceilings, partitions, doors and win
dows Of japanese houses are made OF pa
per. The true Japanese house is opened
| front and rear, at the rear more particular
! ly. and partererres of the most exquisite
/ flowers are trained around the humble
4 dwellings. . -.-a. .- -s--..-..
! The Tycoon is the great temporal ruler
| of Japan; he is Commander-in-C 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 innumerable other
matters. The accounts we hear now from
Japan about the Micado being deprived Of
his share in the, dual goyernment-the
spiritual element-are difficult to rely up
on, because Japanese affairs are a mystery
| thrice IN ystified, and impossible to be fully,
and clearly understood and appreciated by
foreigners. There is a good deal of dissen-
/ tion among the Diamois on the subject of
! trading with the outside world. Some Of
I them favor throwing open all the ports,
I while there are others who would forever
adhere to the old and obstinate policy Of
sealing up the entire seaboard. This very
feeling on the subject was the source of
1 the troubles which sprung up in Japan in
1868. A strong party insisted upon the
Immediately 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 foreigners were congregated,
threatening to trample in the dust men,
women and children of the barbarian race,
but the wise and temperate action of the
Tycoon allayed the excitement and re-
stored order.
The distinction in Japan between peO-
pie and officials are very great. Chaste is
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 one
sword. The short sword is the peculiar
sword for defending personal honor. La
dies of rank also carry a small sword or
dagger for self defence or self-immola-
ton, like. their lords, who perform the ha-
ri-kiri (the happy dispatch) when certain
forms of disgrace overtake them.
The people are more dignihed, intelli-
gent, self-reliant, generous and hOspitabIe
than any other Eastern or Indian people.
The fashions Of the japanese never
change, fastidiOusness 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 instan-
ces of great magniicence, and are situated
amid scenes of the The most exquisite
beauty.
The ingenuity of the Japanese gives
them a claim to be called the yellow Yam
I. IL
and patience they excel, and in politeness
they are ahead of the French. The mas
ses of the women are low in stature, and
more like slaves of burden than help
mates of their lords. Some of them in the
higher ranks are very finely formed, and
of pearly whiteness. The moment, how
ever, that they marry, their teeth are put
in mourning, dyed blacker than the black
est ebony. 1t is very likely custom in
tended to draw palpable distinction be-
tween the married and unmarried, and
thus running away with another mans
wife becomes very difficult and danger
GUS operations for a known bachelor.
Tobacco is smoked by all classes, even.
by women. The common people are
neither very rich nor very poor. AS a ma
tiOn the Japanese have made more pro-
gress in eight years than the Chinese in
fifty. The Chinese do 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 professions present to the
eye of the foreigner q unique, magnif-
cent and unparalleled appearance. Among
the amusements is the tournament prac-
ticed by the DaimOis. Boar hunting has
its votaries; travelling shows ofalI kinds
are to be met with, but no circus has as.
yet made its appearance. The first news
paper was started at Yokohama during
our rebellion. Japanese Tommy, so well
known in this country, was managing
editor.
The largest gold coin is the obang, as
large as the palm ofthe hand, and worth
eighty-two dollars.
There is great respect shown to the dead
in Japan.
The cemetery at Jeddo embraces over
600 acres, and is filled with monuments
and mausoleUms of great beauty and rich
ness. There is every reason to hope that
Japan will be drawn into closer and more
confidential relations with this country,
and if only the same dignihed, wise con
ciliatory and humane policy be persisted
in which has already marked American
transactions with Japan, no other nation
will secure so much of the confidence and
respect of this highly intelligent and in
teresting people.