Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-26
a Japanese Noble in Chicago.

From the Chicago Jourual.l
1t is well known to all that some four years
ago radical political revolution took place in
Japan, by which the empire was wrested from
the old house Of the tycoons, and which
resulted in establishing upon the throne rep
resentative of the warlke and enterprising Tar
tar race. With this change came a general
change throughout the nation in its entire char
acter, one feature of which was disposition to
open the heavy doors of seclusiveness by which
this singular people had for centuries, shut out
all knowledge Of the outside world. Members
of their influential and wealthy families have
been sent into foreign countries, and the teach
ing of English, French and German has been
encouraged in their home schools. 1t was re-
Gently asserted in one of the Yeddo papers that
about five hundred of the more advanced and
promising pupils of the Yeddo government
school have been sent to America, from time to
time, to complete their studies in this country,
and that the government has made an annual
allowance to pay their expenses. This has not
been confined alone TO the male students, and
last year, it will be remembered, some twenty
one young japanese ladies' the daughters of
daimios, were sent to this country to be edu-
Gated.
Not to be outdone in this knowledge of Ameri-
ca, the family of the tycoon, who, it is to be sup
posed, have not yet given up all hope of some
day being able to reoccupy the throne, have fol-
lowed this example, and some six months since
sent Prince Matsudaira IadacadsU, with three
attendants, to complete his education in this
ldUQ. Alter visiting u couple Oh months III tnG
east he came to sthis city and spent some four
months in studying under private tutor, pre-
paratory TO entering the freshman year of the
Chicago university, on Cottage Grove avenue,
which was done at the commencement Of the col
legiate year. two weeks since
The names of the party are that of the prince
given above, Shyboocawa Catsumitsi and Yno-
wooye KatSumusa, his companions, and under
the former order of things, his Subjects and last
but not least, Chimura GoTo the princes tutor
and general guardian. 1t having been intmated
to DR.. Burroughs, president of the university,
that the readers of the Journal would like to
know something more about these distinguished
strangers, that gentleman, with his characters
tic politeness, invited a representative of this
paper to dine with the prince last evening at his
residence on Ellis avenue. Promptly at the hour
appointed, o'clock, the prince was announced,
who entered the drawing room, followed by his
companions, when as pleasant and as social an
evening as the difficulties of understanding each
others language would admit was enjoyed by
the company present.
In appearance they have the general features
of the Monaghan race, but not so strongly
marked as the Chinese Matsudaire is a youth
of twenty-five years of age, although apparently
much younger. ShyboocaWa is thirty-three
years, and Chimura forty-three, the two former
being Enthusiastically diminutiVe in size.
YnOwooye is at present engaged in studying
agriculture on farm at Hinsdale, west of the
city. Of their number Chimura is decidedly the
and evidently man of profound thought and
mental ability. The ceremony of introduction
being successfully accomplished, Chimura re-
lieved himself of an armful of presents given
by the prince to the ladies of the house. consist
ing OF a roll OF native silk, the inevitable fan,
and a Japanese pen and penholder, or, more
properly speaking, writing brush, and to DIR.
Burroughs an antique tobacco pouch, although
the reverend doctor endeaVored to explain, in
as correct Japanese as he was master of, that he
Wa az vnt unelrilInd n he t1ca IF tba
The aptness of these Asatcs as linguists was
shown in the fact that although they had been
in the country but a few months, they had yet
so far acquired knowledge of our language as to
make conversation with them no very difficult
task, while their teachers in the university bear
testimony to an unusual quickneSs exhibited in
mastering all their lessons Chimura, although
speaking the language with difficulty, was yet
able to write with rapidity and remarkable cor
rectness. Taking advantage of this the follow
ing questions were asked him with reference to
Japanese politics, customs, &C., which he an
swered in nearly the following words:
O. Is Matsudaira brother of the tycoonP
A. Yes He is the last tycoon. Our govern
ment changed its form four years ago, and there
is no more any tycoon, such as once regned
over the empire Of Japan. Matsudaira would
have become tycoon, but at present we have an
emperor over us who rules Japan himself.
O. What will MatSudaira do when he goes
home to Japan?
were the heads of provinces or smaller domin-
ions under the tycoon conormed themselves to
the common people, as the tycoon did. Matsu-
daira could now mind only his own household
ing,
@. Is Shyboocawa a relative of Matsudaira?
A. No; he is the subject of Matsudaira
The writer on rereading this answer seemed
TO remember that things were not as they
once were, and, taking up his pencil he soT-
rowfully erased the word els" and wrote
"was."l
@ What do the Japanese think about the
United States2
A. Our people are thankful for the United
States?
Q. What do you think about Chicago?
A. Comparing it with all the nations of Asia
have never heard of city that grows up so
quickly. know not how to speak of it,
Q. Which is your largest city2
A. Yeddo,
O. What is its exact size and population?
A. Yeddo is a little over eight English miles
in size, and before the agitation had 1900 900
people, 1t has now but about 900 900.
Q. Is Yeddo larger than Pekin?
All think Pekin is Of less rank in point of
size and refinement,
Q. Do Matsudaira and Shyboocawa have the
Japanese religion2
A. They are Japanese idolators, strongly.
b. Do they pray to idols every day?
A. No. Only when they are vexed troubled
Y. Do they have their idols in their rooms?
perhaps in a box.
O. What do you believer
a. | have read of jehovah in the English
Bible and have faith in him.
q. Where did you learn TO write English2
A. In Japan, from the English dictionary and
some grammars.
O. Do many of the Japanese scholars study
English?
A. Very much. Many of the Japanese schools
have English and American teachers
These Japanese have entered upon the regu-
lar course of study in the university, and ex-
pect to complete three years course, and for
the sake of moro rapidly acquiring our Ian
guage, have each an English roommate. They
eat at the common table, and conform in their
| dress and otherwise to our customs
1t is said that the ambassador of the mikado,
| at Washington, keeps an eye upon the prince
and his friends, and prohibits them from talk
| ing politics" a knowledge of which fact will
| show the shrewdness of the reply of Chimura TO
the first two questions, the real point of which,
| IL will he he gkillfullv cd