The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-03-22
The Golden Fish Of Dwarf Castle.

In nearly every large city in Japan
there is, or was, q large castle, in which
the Prince of the province or his soldiers
lived in time of peace, or fought in time
of war. In Nagoya, in the Province Of
Dwarf, in the central part of the main
island, was seen the largest and finest of
all the castles in Japan They were built
of thick walls of stone. masonry from
twenty to one hundred feet high, and di-
vided from the outside land by moats
filed with water At the angles were
high towers, built of heavy beams Of wood
covered with lime to make them fire. proof,
and rooted with tiles. They had many
gables like a pagoda, and portfolios or
windows for the archers to shoot out their
arrows on the besiegers. These windows
were covered with copper or iron shutters.
At the end of the topmost gable OF the
tower, with its tail in the air, was great
fish made of bronze or copper, from six
to ten feet high, weighing thousands of
pounds. 1t was frightful monster of a
fish, looking as if Jonah would be no
more in its mouth than sprat in mack
erel's. 1t stood on its lower gill, like 9
boy about to walk on his hands and head.
1t always reminded ne of the old-fash-
ioned candlesticks, in which glass dol
phin rampant, with very thick lips, holds
a candle in his glass tail. In Japan,
however, the fiukes of this bronze fish's
tail, instead of candle, were usually oc-
cupied by live hawk, or sometimes an
eagle, cormorant or falcon. Half the
birds in Fukui solemnly believed the cas-
tie towers to have been built for their es-
pecial perch and benefit. l often have
seen every fish-tail of the castle occupied
by crows. They were finishing their
toilet, enjoying an after-dinner nap, or
making speeches to each other, observing
the rules of order no better than some as
semblies in which several persons talk at
once. sua gea a
We sometimes saw of boy having
wealthy parents, that "he was born with
q silver spoon in his mouth" Now, as
the Japanese eat with chop sticks, and
use their silver for other purposes, they
express nearly the same idea in other
words. 1900; y
In Japan, the better class of people
those who enjoy the privilege of wealth,
education or pOsition--live either within
or near the castle. One of the first things
a well born Japanese baby sees and learns
to know outdoors Is the upright bronze
llSll Ou tiiC C6StlC bOWClos 20 RsAAA-
ese is proud to say, Al was born within
sight of the shdchihoko' (the Japanese
name of this fish.) The Princes Of Dwarf
were very proud, rich and powerful; and
they determined to erect gold instead OF
bronze fishes on their castle. SO they en-
gagged famous gold and silver smiths to
make them q shdchtl0ko ten feet high. Its
tail, mouth and fins were OF solid beaten
silver Its scales were plates OF solid
gold. lis eyes were of black glass. 1t
cost many thousands of dollars, and re-
quired about twenty men to lift 1t.
This was at Nagoya, . city famous for
its brOnZes, porcelain vases, cups and
dishes. its wonderful enamel work called
csossonne, and its gay fans. Thousands of
the Japanese fans with. which we coolour
faces in summer were made in Nagoya.
Well. when, after much toll and the help
Of great derricks ana tackling, the great
object was raiued to its place, thousands
of persons came from a distance to see the
golden wonder. Tho people Of Naguya
felt prouder than ever Of their handsome
city. In all kinds Of weather, the golden
fish kept It's color and glittering bright
ness, never furnishing or blackening like
the common shachihoko on otf.er castles.
Morning and evening, the sunbeams gild-
ed it with fresh splendor The gold and
the sunlight seemed to know each other,
for they always kissed. The farmers
children, who lived miles distant in the
country. clapped their hands with, joy
when the flashing flukes on The castle
towers cleaned in the an. The travellers
Eplo>lding along the Foati - they mounted
q hill, knew whom xhe city WAS near,
though they could not see anything but
the gleam ike star Of gold.
Alas that I. should tell 1t! What was
Joy 10 the many, was temp<ati0h TO some.
Theyverc led 70 envy, then 70 covet, then
to steal the. prize. "A man whoees talents
and induatry might have made him rich
and honofed. became . Arobber- FIRST in
heart, and then in eact. He began 10
study how he might steal I'M GOLDEN flsh.
How was he to reach the roaf Qf thet0weri
Even II he could swim Tie most and
scale flle Wall, he could not mount to the
FtOp 'ntWy Of tk6 roof. The gatto were
guarded Tho sentineh wes9 sxigils1t,
ard ssped yi<h Sword ard epeazs How
|eh0nld IA reach the Rgldea acAles ~ ..St
AkIte, ttfe1tN i've feat qdudze, was made
Eof tniek babef ith Wy sf7dhk but light
bamhoo ariuk6, wiz tough rope for .
tethor, and 4 pair 0f boha strong enough
to lift two HUNDRED pounds. No man
could hold such s kise III rope wa
wound roo1d 3 WindleGs and PAID out by
one poyDou. who tWo men md tb0o b0yg