The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-21
KANAZAWA, JAPAN.


To us who live here, Kanazawa is
the finest place in japan. The only
are that it is sin the in
terror" where foreigners cannot come
unless they have passports from the
and it is entirely isolated
FROM the rest of the empire during the
winter. The range of mountains OF
which "Haku Sau" is chief, cuts of q
strip of land about 100 miles long, and
during the cold months the passes are
90 covered with snow that it Is almost
impossible to cross them, and the
steamers caunot run because the sea
along this coast is too rough.
The latitude of Kanazawa is almost
the same as that of lola, but the eli
mate is not exactly the same. In
summer the thermometer seldom goes
above 95' F. and in winter the coolest
day only takes the MERCURY down to
about 26o. Itseems warmer and cold
er, than it really is, on account OF the
dampness In many places in Japan
shoes, bonnets, dresses, kid gloves and
everything, need constant attention or
they mould. Here it is much dryer,
but we have a rainy season beginning
about the first Of June, and lasting
thirty days. After that the hot wealth
er sets in, but it does not compare with
the warm weather of Kansas. Dur
ing December we have a great deal of
rain in showers; the sun shines bright
ly one hour, and it pours the next.
Then during January it SHOWS often
and the natives shovel the snow from
the roofs of the houses into the street.
One narrow path is usually made in
the middle. Warm, spring weather
comes much earlier here than in Kan
sas. Roses begin to bloom in May and
continue until the last of December.
Kanazawa contains about 10000
people. 1t is the principal city in this
region, and the fifth in size in Japan.
Five miles away is the Japan sea,
which is plainly visible from the
mountains which lie back of the city.
AS the foreigners here all keep horses,
it is common thing to gal!op over to
the sea for bath in til 9 salt water, or
to go to one of the near mountains
which are covered with pine trees, and
where the air is laden with the piney
odor. Many who have travelled all ov.
er the island, say that Kanazawa is
the prettiest place they have visited
It's situation is certainly all that any
one could ask for.
There are three thousand soldiers
stationed here. Before the Revolution
the Daimio who had for his possession
this State and three adjoining ones.
lived in this city. Here he built his
castle, which is now used for the SOL
diers The castle is only open to the
public one day jn the year and that is
always on Sunday so that We have moi
seen inside the walls. These walls
built of stone put together without &C.
ment, are about 100 feet high, and in
times past were surrounded by wide
moat, which is now dry most of the
time. The stones are many Of them
o,,f;raIx, oorara1 with ,,,ooo Tmpoonac
old trees grow from the top of the wall
The roofs of the barracks can be seen
and from the wall is often heard the
sound of the bugle. The entrances are
always guarded by soldiers but that
does not prevent our looking at the
wall, which with the trees and moss
and the old moat, makes very pictur
esque view.
Just across the,road from the castle
is the park. This used to be the
pleasure grounds Of the old daimias
but is now public place. 1t lies on
the side of a hill, and water from the
mountain rushes through il in many
little streams. There is one beautiful
waterfall. The clear water dashes
down over stones, and all around ii
are beautiful trees which sometimes
almost hide it from view. Numerous
little paths lead up the hill, across lit.
tie rustic bridges and stone arches.
There are two large lotus ponds which
during the summer stand thick with
the round green leaves, with here and
there immense blossoms, white, pink
and purple, which fill the air with
fragrance. In one part of the park is
a large brown statue of Buddha. 1t
stands about twenty feet high, and is
very old. The trees of the park are
very fine, large evergreens with their
twisted branches, and tall naples
with their beautiful leaves.
Japan has great variety Of naples.
Many of them come out in the spring
wiih scarlet leaves, which gradually
ehxnSe to green during the summer
and thcu become red again in the fall.
One variety has always red leaves.
al other has skeleton leaves, very fine
and delicate.
There are also the cherry tfsss. 'ese
do not bear any fruit, but in the spribr
they are very beautiful on account Of
their blossoms. Some of these blossoms
a. large as roses, and hang in great
pink clusters all over the tree. Japan
is very proud Of her cherry blossoms.