The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-09-01
Japan Correspondence.
KOBE, JAPAN, July l, 1875

KOBE, JAPAN, July l, 1875.
To THE HAWAIIAN GAZETTE;
Dear Gazette In my last, l told you of the
stir, occasioned by the recent introduction Of
christianity into this nation; and the prospect
of its rapid spread. will now speak of the
origin of the empire and its antiquities The
people are said to be an amalgamation of Chi
pese, Mongolian Corean, and probably, Malay
races; there are few Amos, viz, original
inhabitants. The Amos are very stupid,
hairy race, and chiefly crowded into northern
province.
The rulers claim to be descendants of the
Gods, and to have governed here many thou
sand years. 1t is said they have true history
from the year 667 before the Christian era, and
can fairly claim twenty-five centuries of ma
tional life with cities, temples, and literature,
of such ripe maturity. But to citizens of the
United States, who can't quite claim one CEN
tury of independent nationality, they seem to
show but small improvement as the fruit of
their great age.
But we must remember that they are in the
EASY WHtTe 10 10 db LnelT IaJneTS ulu is
deemed the mark of wisdom. And it cannot
be denied that since they came into close con-
tact with western nations, they have shown
remarkable shrewdness and capability for i'm
provement. Witness their lighthouses, post
offices, steamers, railroads, telegraphs, mint,
schools, hospitals, &c. They seem to deserve
the name of Yankees of the East Their re-
luctance to open the empire fully to foreigners
may be, in great measure, owing to the char
acter of majority of the foreigners whom they
have seen, and of whose doings in China they
have heard. They doubtless, and fear Justly,
think that their object in coming here is to get
rich, and that they are not scrupulous about
the means, if they can accomplish their object.
trust they will learn, that not all who come,
have an unselfsh object in coming here.
But to return from this depression. In the
Japan Mai, of June IL, 1875, we find some
striking items, concerning the Japanese anti
quities at Nara, which is large old city,
about 20 miles due east of Osaka, and was the
residence of the Mikados, from A. D. 709 to
1872. Soon after this their residence was re-
moved to Kiyote, where it remains to this
day. Seven sovereigns reigned at Nara, four
of them females. Their rule was generally
prosperous and glorious, distinguished by the
cultivation of the arts, literature and religion
In this period copper was first found in Japan.
In I'll Kojiki, an ancient history, was pub
lished In 7l3 the Fatoki was written, con-
tanning description Of all the previous cities,
mountains, rivers, vallies, plants, trees, birds,
and quadrupeds of japan. In 7ls collection
of laws in ten volumes was made, and shortly
after, history of Japan in fifty volumes was
composed.
The Mikado Slomo Tonne, who reigned from
724 to 74s, among other things, founded dis
pensary He had relations with China. In
his sth year, two Buddhist priests arrived, one
from Southern India, the other from Siam.
About the fifteenth year of his reign cop
per image of Budha, overlaid with gold, was
erected at sitarak, in the province of Omi. 1t
was done by priest who went over the en-
pire to collect funds for this purpose. In 745
this statue was transported to Nara, and now
exists there; and is the famous Daibuts, or,
big image 1t is SO feet high, but was cast in
several parts, and hence could be transported.
1t is SO nicely fitted together, that it seems like
one solid mass 1t is said the gold that was
on it, has almost entirely disappeared. There
is near Yedo, another Daibuts, of copper,
which is said to be several feet shorter than
this.