The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-01-12
Japan and the Jnpnnese.


Although Japan is our nearest neighbor to
the westward, We as yet know but little of
her, or her people The following sketch,
contributed by gentleman who has spent sew
eral years in Japan, will interest our readers :
The gun is fired to inform the community of
Yokohama of the arrival of the mail, and the
steamer has dropped her anchor Immedi-
ately she is surrounded by sampans, kind of
open boat used by the natives. The sendos or
sailors in these boats are all dressed in the old
native costume; kimono, or gown with wide
sleeves, coming down to the ankle and kept
round the waist by girdle about three inches
broad called obi. The hair too is cut accord
ing to the old style, viz: shaved on the head
with the side and back hair tied in kind of
cue, and resting on the shaver part of the
head Before landing we will cast look
around u.s. The steamer has her head turned
towards the town; looking in that direction we
have before us the Bund or quay of Yokohama,
which as seen from this side, presents very
cheerful appearance. The houses built in for
in good repair. Prominent for their size
among them, are the Yokohama United Club,
generally called the English club, the Occi-
dental. and last, but not least, the Grand Ho-
tel. This last building, is separated from " the
Bluff" by creek. The Bluff itself, consists
of some bills occupied by bungalows (cottages)
and two-storied residences of the weather.
foreign merchants. The clear sky permits us
to see the summit of the pride of Dai Nippon,
(Great Japan) as the natives love to call their
country; the snow-covered top of the Full
known by foreigners as the Fuii-yama, which
last word however, means mountain. In the
background of the landscape before us, We see
the Hakone range. Turning to the right, we
see behind the shipping unfortunately very
small in these days-the little town of Kama
gawa, in the days of old Japan station on
the road between Toxic and the Holy City"
Kioto, the residence of the powerless emperor,
the Mlkado. 1t was there, that the naughty
Daimios stopped the first night after they had
left the capital on their return to their domin-
IONS And of how many revelries might the
old wooden houses bear witness, if they could
tell of the proud lords with their numbers of
retainers, that passed the night within their
precincts. But more of Kanagawa hereafter,
for most of the passengers have left the steamer,
and it is time for us to look out for a sampan.
There is one at the companion ladder; and one
of the sendos, rightly ,opining that We want
him, is coming up to carry our luggage Never
mind about the payment; these coolies see
perfectly well that you are stranger; if you
asked them how much, (they understand this)
they would say at least, ichi bu-one bu-25
cents, American money, or, perhaps even nj
bu-two bu's-while they are we'll aware that
they may not charge more than ten cents. So
this being settled, we will engage jinrickshas
to bring US to the Hotel du Louvre, which
kept by a Frenehman, has undoubtedly the
best table, and is the best managed of the
place. few words about these jinrickshas-
carriages, as Prof. Grifis would
translate it. They are carriages about four
feet high, which one or two slender persons
may occupy The exterior is generally ia
panned, sometimes with very grotesque figures
they are lined with kind of coarse cloth;
generally red and covered with a cap of bunt-
ing. They are drawn by one or two coolies,
to the directions of the "danna."
For ride through Yokohama, Is or 20 cents
is sufficient payment for two coolies. There
are quite a number of hotels in Yokohama,
some of them we have named. The Grand and
Occidental both kept on the American plan,
are generally chosen by English or American
travellers, though really the Hotel du Louvre,
and the Oriental Hotel, both kept by French
men, are in our opinion the most comfortable |
to the stranger. The two first named are, as |
have mentioned before, on the Bund, and if |
one has the good fortune to secure front |
room, the view on Yedo Bay. is really grand.
The two hotels kept by Frencbmen are on the
main street.-the foreign business quarter of
Yokohama. The charges are about the same
in these hotels, viz: $3.50 or So. per diem.
PRoxPr Among the various Life Insurance
represented 10 Honolulu there is none
which has been more prompt in the payment Of |
policies than the Security Life ms. Co. of New York
Of which NJ. McInerny Esq. is agent for these
Islands. We are happy to record another instance
Of their promptness, whereby the widow and |
children OF the late John D. Robinson received on
Saturday last the sum of fvethousand and seventy
Eve dollars in gold coin from NJ. MeInerDy Oh &C.
count Of a policy which the deceased held in said
Company and on which be had made but three pay
ments The money was remitted Immediately upon
The receipt OF the news Of bis death, and without
4 line Of correspondence on the subject from the
company. Such promptness is sure of reward, and
sbnuld IN he knoUn far and vide