National Republican., 1884-11-01
A "REMINISCENCES.
Ben Periey Pooro Recalls tho visit
TO Washington OF the First Japanese

W O""ShtHktott =" VI the first Jnpnhess
Embassy.
Tho Japanese embassy arrived here on
the 14th of May, 1860, in the steamer
Philadelphia, which brought them uy
the Potomac from the United State'
frigate Roanoke, on which they had come
from Japan. They were received at the
navy yard with high honors and escorted
by the district militia to their quarters,
at Willard's hotel. The entire party
numbered seventy-one The two embas
sadors were rather tall and thin in
form, with long aud sharp faces
They had jet black hair, so fai
as any was left by tho barber. In dressing
the hair tho men expended as much
caro- rs women, and took rs much piid
and pleasure in its neat and fashionable
adjustment. 1t was shaved or to the
very skin, except around the temples and
low down in the back of the neck, from
which 1t was brought up on all sides to the
top of the head and fastened by a string
1t was then carried forward, we'll stifioned
with pomatum, in o queue about four
inches long and of the size of ones finger,
aud pointed over the front part of the
head, which was left completely denuded
of all hair. They dressed in silk robes
and wore two swords at their sides, accord
ing to universal usage with the higher
classes. No nation possesses so many ele-
ments of the Anglo.Saxon mind as the Jap.
aneso, having the bump called gumption or
common sense, in largo development. with
little or nothing of the unreasoning, wild
and impulsive, though their books, their
pictures, and works of art show they are
not wanting in taste and imagination.
Among the under officers" were an artist
and q historiographer of the embassy,
who were attached to the ambassadors.
The artist was Yorsda Sagosagemon,
whose quick and searching eye, with a
face kindled up with sensibility and
benevolence, at once indicated that he was
o poet or painter. Matsmoto Sannojio,
the historiographer, about 30 years old,
was plain aud sedate, thinking twice be-
fore speaking once.
Tho doctors wore all young men, whose
heads were shaved to tho quick, accord
ing to the usage of the profession in ia
pan. They were often taken for Buddhist
priests or monks. who observe the same
practice. These young doctors, though
courteous and quiet, seemed less intelli-
gent and inquisitive than any class OF
their countrymen among the visitors, and
evidently commanded no respect from
them. The principal object Of the mis-
sion of the embassy was to get an English
copy of the treaty. between Japan and the
United States signed by ihe President. The
original was burned in the great fire at
Jeddo in 1858. Tho copy in Japanese
they saved. This they brought with them
and copy not signed, and lettor from
the tycoon to tho president. The box
containing these documents was look ed
upon by them as almost sacred. 1t was
called the treaty box" and was never
allowed to be out of their sight. 1t was
box feet long, 26 inches in depth. aud
15 inches wide, covered with red morocco
leather, and neatly sewed around the
edges. There were three japanned
boxes placed together, and then COW
cred. Around the box was light frame,
and when carried was borne on the
backs Of four men by poles. The embassy
brought with them $4,000 cash for the
purpose Of making purchases. Their
money was all brought from Japan in
Mexican dollars and American half dol
lars, stamped with the Japanese mark.
They brought an immense amount Of
bagg age. over eighty tons, which made
four full carloads over tho Panama rail-
e~ee' ANY hoN hitSeh boAco
valuable presents for the President Of tho
United States. They had large guam
tity Of beautiful silks. brocatels, linen,
Grape. silk, pongoes, poplins, &C., of
every conceivable style aud pattern.
They had a beautiful specimen of Sharp's
rife, ono OF their own manufacture,
also ono OF those presented by
Commodore Perry, made by Sharp him
self. The one made by the Japanese was
q decided Improvement upon the original.
as pronounced by all who saw It. The
improvement consisted in cooking, prim-
ing, and cutting off the cartridge at the
same time. The original did not cock on
putting down the guard which cuts of
the cartridge, but had to be cooked by
the thumb. The Japanese rife could be
cooked or not on cutting off the cartridge.
according to will. The barrel was beau
tifully rifled, and was fac simile of the
original. Tho finish and workmanship
were equal, If not superior, to the orig
inal Sharp or any other firearm ever seen.
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