St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-06-13
Letter From Japan.
Editor CALIFORNIAN:

EOlLOI SALEDONlAN'
Last summer when was travelling in
Ireland made my way up to the Giants
Causeway, and not being willing to let
the opportunity pass, decided to test the
efficacy of the wishing chair, a rock
followed out by the action of the water,
beside the Causeway. My wish was a
long cherished one and at the time saw
no immediate prospect gifts realization,
but now shall always advise the wish
ing chair on the Irish coast, as my own
trial of it proved such a success. My
wish was to travel through India and
Japan. Half OF it has been accomplished
and with several extras, and the latter
part is now being worked out.
had a most interesting time in India
Ceylon, Burmah and Java, and my antc.
ipations for the days in Japan were high
although did not expect the impossible
| Now | am wondering each day whether
the beauties of this charming country can
hold out to the end of my stay.
The "China" anchored in the harbor
at Nagasaki on the last day but one OF
March, and had most OF the day on
shore. 1t was bright, mild day, with
delightful suggestions of spring IN the
air, and the earliest Towering shrubs
just in bloom, delicate pink and white
flowers, but no green leaves. l took a
rikisha and climbed up over the hill and
down the other side to the little 6shir e
town of Mog. The views were charm
ing both ways, and it was a most
promising beginning of my Japanese
holiday. The children were all so funny,
rosy checked, black haired, beady eyed
dumplings of humanity, and in the
gayest OF kimonas, just like the Japanese
dolls that are seen at the Japanese shops,
the way their hair is cut, and the color
of their kimonas, and all. The next day
| had delightful sail through the Inland
Sea, which is most picturesque, with all
its small islands and rocky, wooded
points.
When reached Kobe there was not a
room to be had at the hotel, as fire had
just destroyed their annex, so l decided
to go on down to Miysjima at once, as
wanted to see more of the Inland Sea,
and Miyajima in particular, as it is con.
sicered by the japanese one oil the three
most beautiful spots in Japan. l tried
my best to get guide OF some sort to
60 down with me, as l was told that
they spoke no English there, and my
Japanese was not fluent enough to be OF
use, but none was to be had. There are
unusual numbers Of tourists here this
year, and all the guides had been secured
long ago.
AS had never yet lost myself decided
to risk it and go ahead. My rikisha boy
got me sa'ely on board the right train
and felt that good start was in my
favor. 1t was all quite different from
anything that l had seen before, but
interesting and amusing. Opposite me
were an English speaking German and
his English wife, who lived in Kobe, and
they gave me few points, but l think
they thought that was taking a risk.
They got out very soon and LETT me with
car full OF Japanese, most OF them with
their feet curled up under them on the
seats, which ran the length of the car.
Their boots were off and the train boy
furnished each with a pair Of light
slippers. The same boy also furnished
unlimited tea in little pots with cups for
covers. 1t was restaurant car, and at
lunch sat with japanese officer and
his sister, who had been much in Paris
and they were much pleased to converse
in French, which they said was bet.
ter than their English When | was
landed at Onimichi that evening it was
very similar to my first experience in
Spain many years ago, when my neigh
bors and l spoke different tongues, and
neither could understand the other. As
then knew the name of the hotel to
which wished to GO, land when appear.
ed there with boy carrying my suit
case, they understood that | required
lodging and they took me in and cared
for me well. l worked the phrases in
Murray for all they were worth, and
with the aid of a small boy, who had one
word OF English, morning." l got on
finely, for added the word "Miyajima"
which was my destination. The boy
was eager to learn English and appeared
after serving my dinner, with pencil and
paper and spent my spare time teach.
ing him additional words for the benefit
OF the next tourist.
1t was Jap inn so l took off my
boots at the entrance. The floors were
covered With soft mating and the entire
house suggested toy house. My room
had mating on the floor, which from a
Japanese point of view, would mean
chairs and tables and kakemoma, and
flower vase on the wall. European
table and chair were brought in for me
and they did look absolutely out oil
place. Later on many futon, heavy
wadded quilts, were placed on the floor
for my bed, and one rolled up tor a
pillow. In the morning a common
basin and bucket of water were at m,
service down below. Certainly it al
suggested 1.-THE simple life."
While waiting at the landing for tn,
Japanese steamer l continued my cours,
> OF English to the boy to the great inter
! est oil circle OF natives. All day long
| was curiosity on board that steamer
\ for was the only European and wa,
n looked at and watched with much inter
r est by all. The scenery was charming
the very best part OF the Inland Sea. ever
more beautiful than the part that hac
had the day before. We made stops at 6
/ great many small places all along, ant
2 1t was all most picturesque. About mid
2 day part oil the machinery broke, and W.
2 anchoredfor couple OF hours for repairs
4 which made my arrival at my destina
1 ton that night very doubtful. had m,
6 hrst experience with chop sticks, anC
even with the aid OF little spoon tina