The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31
Kobe, Ozaka. and Kioto.


the steamer calls is Kobe. When we
were here in 1872, there were only few
houses, as it had been destroyed the
year before by a typhoon. Now beau
tiful bund, (street) with rock wall, is
built along the bay; the foreign houses
form fine front, and all up the hillside
are handsome residences. AS these ex-
tend for mile or two, scattered up and
down the mountain among large groves,
the view is very fine. By the foreign
concession, is the native town of Hiogo.
About mile away, up mountain val
ley, are the cascades, where the water
leaps down the rocky side. There are
three large falls, one above the other,
and as there had been heavy rains, the
volume of water was very great.
The hills are terraced for their paddy
fields high up the mountain the terraces
generally faced with stone. Just behind
missionary's house, was astonished to
find a rice-patch as high up as his upper
windows, and at great elevation. The
Japs plant rice just as their neighbors,
by first sowing the seed in thoroughly
prepared bed, where it comes up a car
pet of green, and then transplanting in
the fields, walking backwards as they
stick down the sprouts. The Chinese
irrigator is worked by several men, Cor a
cow the water is forced up trough
pieces of board connected together on
the principle of the chain pump. The
Japanese use smaller one, for which
one man is enough. The condition of
the peasantry is much the same in both
countries. Each family has only small
patch, an acre or two, which they cul-
tivate as garden. In China, however,
the "rent rice" to the landlord takes
nearly all the crop. 1t used to be thus
in Japan till the Daimio system was
abolished, and since then the farmer pays
only taxes.
The Railroad.
After nine years and more, the sound
of the whistle is pleasant. This railroad
from Kobe now runs eighty miles, and is
being pushed forward. 1t is we'll built,
with iron bridges, handsome stations, and
a large force of conductors and other of
fcers. The depots at the cities are two
story brick buildings, with towers, upon
which town clocks are conspicuous
This is one of the marks of Japan-that
they have mounted town clocks all over
their cities and towns. Specially strik-
ing to Chinaman who can only give
up the hour of service by "before eating
rice, or latter eating rice" or wanting
to meet friend at the tea-shop at 4
o'clock, CATER eating rice, wait awhile"
The trains run to the minute.
: The road to Ozaka is beautiful; with
the mountains close on the left and the
bay on the right. At one place
thought there was bad engineering, by
a tunnel through small hill, but found
Most of the rivers are within embank-
ments, and higher than the fields Some
of these are kept up at great expense.
The first thing that strikes the eye as
you approach
is the number of lofty chimneys, with
the smoke ascending. Sulphuric acid
is one of the articles of manufacture.
Japan supplies China with matches at
one-half cent a box. Here you get
several boxes for a cent. 1 could not
help looking out for the city walls, but
wherein Japan differs from her big sister.
A large river runs through this city,
and with the trees and wide streets, the
views are pretty. Nearly all of the
foreigners are missionaries. Ozaka is
the headquarters of the American Board
and American Episcopal Missions.
After lunch upon the steamer, we took
the 2 o'clock train, arriving in an hour,
and returning by 6 o'clock. One of the
pleasantest excursions we have had in
many day. The registered population
is 285,000; but it is said that one-half of
the residents belonged by birth to other
cities, so that they are not enrolled.
This would make it over one half-million.
Kioto.
This city is sixty miles from Kobe; by
rail, three hours. AS it is not treaty
port, passport must be obtained, or
they will not sell you a ticket at the
depot. had telegraphed to the consul
from Nagasaki, so it was all ready.
Kieto was the former capital of Japan,
till twelve years since; the Mikado re-
moved his capital to Yeddo (now Tokio).
This latter place was always put down
as the capital of Japan, as it was the
residence of the Shoguns, or civil rulers,
Of the Empire; the Mikado, or religious
emperor, living at Kioto. 1t is the
sacred city Of Japan; its temples are
very numerous, and its priests said to be
10000.