The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-24
(For the Democrat.)
AMONG THE JAPANESE.
Kobe and Nagasaki.

" ledht 1oNoHatii, Jdpai. Inu
after contending with strong head
winds and heavy seas for 56 hours
we reach Kobe. the 'sParadise OF ia
pan picturesqe lite city, nesting
at the foot of mountain. with its
quaint and pretty houses shining in
the sunlight. The people here seem
to pride themselves On their clean4i
ness, both in doors and out: the
streets are wide and very clean
The city is we'll drained thus pre-
venting the accumulation of dust and
mud in She streets. The houses are
mostly two stories high, presenting
a strikingly clean appearance, re.
minding us Of the houses seen in the
toy stores at home. Kobe is noted
for it's beautiful bamboo work.
Vases. baskets. canes, bowls. and
numerous other articles of bamboo
can be purchased here at a remarka-
bly, low price. The water front is
built up with stone wharves. The
harbor is constantly full Of cuasting
vessels Of all descriptions.th the majors
ity of which are junks trading among
the islands.
There are extensive iron mines
near Kobe, which supply the several
manufactures in the city with ore.
just back of the city there is a
large sulphur spring. The climate
of Kobe, and other cities in the
Northern part Of Japan-is similar to
that Of our Northern States. Near
the top of the mountain which oyer~
looks the city is large temple
called the Temple of the Moon," 4
large stone structure with high
stone wall around it; at the gate is s.
large stone image, a large ring over
its head, intended to represent the
Moon, a japanese on entering tenn
pie leaves his shoes at the door, when
near the altar, claps his hands sever
al times, kneelS and prays. then arls-
ing. claps his hands again ard de-
parts. The Japanese once believe
the Sun rose and set only in their
country, and for this reason they
called it Niphon or the "Rising Sun"
While lying at Kobe a juggler came
aboard and performed some very re-
inarkable tricks, taking small piece
Of tissue paperhe prt it in glass of
water: after it was soaked well, took
it out and rolled it into ball then
taking his fan from the back OF his
neck, where they all carry their fans,
proceeded to fan the ball Of wet pa
Der; the air was soon full of small
square pieces OF paper, after flaming
this paper all away he threw from
his hand three pieces of paper rib
bon. red, white, and blue, each about
six yards long, then taking two pipes
with long stems, (their pipes are
Very small and made of metan he
threw a top in the air and caught
it in the bowl of one of the pipes
then throwing it up again, crossing
the pipe stems caught the top be-
tween them, still spinning, then
throwing it up again caught it on
the stem, and holding his arms out
straight allowed the top to run aioag
TIE pipe stem acrnss his shoulders
and Gu the other stem. While al
Yokohama we visited a theatre. and
found it different in every respact
from the Chinese theatre.
A Japanese walked up a ladder
the steps of which were swords will
the ed ges up. We were allowed &c
examine the swords and found then
sharp as razors, but without hest
tating moment japanese barefoot
e} walked up this ladder.
a long sword with two handle;
was held by two men. and still bare
footed he stepped upon its edge ant
was carried around the stage. A com
mon table was on the stage, clo:l
spread over it and when uncovered
meal consisting of numerous dish
e. was seen On the table, and th'
food, wien passed around among
'ae aldience, proved to he genuine
All descriptions OF lovely flowers ere
made to spring up from boxes filled
with dirt.
wish to give others chance il
This weeks paper, SO I will not men
uon all the wonderful feats per
form ed by these people for fear viii
hil the paper.
We remained at Kobe a day to Goa
'he ship then proceeded on our wa.
passing through the straits of Snz'