The Shasta courier., 1869-06-12
COURIER.
The Capital of Japan.

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chief place of interest in Eastern Japan
Permission to visit it must be obtained
through the Consul. 1t may be reached by
land or by water. The last mode is the
easiest, but a ride on japanese pony over
the Tocaido or Imperial road, will enable
one to see something of the country.
There are no hotels in Yedo--no accom-
modations except those afforded by foreign
ministers. Few travellers will care to quar-
ter themselves on an official 1t is much
better to put up with native accommoda-
tons. There is more of incident and ad-
venture-a better opportunity to study the
characteristics and habits of the people.
Yedo means River door," or the en-
trance to the river. 1t is situated at the
head of the bay, at the mouth of stream
called by the Japanese the Great river
The eastern portion of the city is on the
island of Hondjo, intersected by canals,
dividing it into eight districts. The banks
of the river are occupied by government
store-houses, while the canals are bordered
by the shops and warehouses of the prin-
cipal merchants. In each district there
are numerous temples and palaces, sur
rounded by gardens and groves
The Imperial palace is on the main land,
which is connected with the island by four
bridges, each about one thousand feet in
length The palace of the Tycoon is stu
ated in the Siro or Castle, large area sur
rounded by high wall. Within the en-
closure are the palaces of the royal family
those of the council of state and the resi-
denees of about twenty Danios. The pub
lie are not allowed to enter. The palaces
have none of the magnifcence of royal resi-
dences in Europe. They are plain struc-
lures of one story, whitewashed and cover
ed with yariously colored tiles People of
America would call them comfortless. The
man who earns his daily bread by driving
the plane or using the trowel, and who goes
home to cottage plainly furnished, to a
table spread with such fare as American
mechanics are accustomed to, has far more
comfort in life than these princes of the
empire, who sit on the floor at meal time
and sleep at night without mattress or bed
ding
The mercantile section is along the river
The streets are wide, regular, and thronged
with people.
There are over four hundred temples in
Yedo, most of which are open to foreigners
A visit to one or two will satisfy curiosity.
They are small, and there is nothing of
grandeur about them.
In Yedo the traveller can see state of
society regulated by feudaI government.
BY the laws of Japan, one half of the
Damios of the empire must reside at the
capital. There are eighteen great Damios
and 342 amaller ones. Each Damio has
his followers or retainers. Statsuma, Bizen
and Chosu each have about 10000 follow
ers. Nearly all of the great chiefs have
an equal number. The smaller Damios
have about 1000 Half of the Danios
and their retainers being always present it
is consequently military city The fol-
lowers of the great Damios always present
may be set down at about 90, 900, and those
of the smaller chiefs at SAC, ,0OO-a total
of 430,0 soldiers and servants.
The following is the most satisfactory
estimate made 81 the population of the cap
ital:
Followers of Great Damios, 10000
Followers of Small Damios, 342.O0O
Imperial officials, 100000
Priests, -. 200 non
Residents, 572 O00
Total, 1854 (on
But there is always large floating ponu.
lation of pilgrims and country traders
estimated at about 100000. The most
liberal estimate gives million and half
On arriving at the city itself. one is
rather disappointed. The temples disan.
pear behind the trees with which thew are
surrounded; the palaces resemble scarcely
anything better than large re-proof ware
houses; and the dwellings of the merchants
and other citizens, though extremely clean.
are small and look rather poor. There are
no handsome shops, no grand establish
ments, no triumphal arches, no statues. no
monuments; in short, nothing which con-
stitutes the beauty of our occidental ean;-
tails. The streets and quarters belonging
to the Damios are almost deserted The
mercantile quarter, though in it there is
great animation, looks neither rich nor
handsome and altogether there is not one
street in Yedo which could in the least
recall such streets as, at home, we expect
to find in the capital of great and power
empire. When riding through the Damios'
quarter one might easily imagine himself
in great and wealthy village, or outside
the park of some rich proprietor; and in
passing through the mercantile district he
might believe himself in manufacturing 40
city, crowded with poor population Yedoe
though not ugly, certainly does not deserve
the reputation for splendor and maguifcence
which has been given to it by some writers.
. A CRIPPLED negro makes a living in Wor.