AUSI YAMA, THE SACRED MOUNTAIN OW JAPAN.
JAPAN. |
Area, 147,670 square miles ; one-fifth less than Ontarıo in size ; population, 36.357.000 ; persons to a square mile, 249.
The Empire of Japan consists of the Zlands af Yezo
(or Jesso), Hondo or Niphon, Shikoku (also written Sikok
and Sikopf), and Kiusiv, with numerous small islands,
dependencies of the larger ones. The Kurile, Loo-choo,
and Bonin Islands belong also to Japan.
"The Japan Islands are separated from Corea and Man-
churia by Corca Strait and the Sea of Japan. The main
islands‘ are traversed by lofty mountains, rising to the
height of 12,000 feet, and covered with pernetual snow.
Some of them are volcanoes.
Yesso and the northern islands are cold, and not very
productive; but in the southern islands the land is very
carefully cultivated, and produces rice, tea, cotton, and
silk. As in China, the country is densely peopled ; and
even every mountain is cultivated as far as possible, in
order to supply the wants of the large population. "he
Japanese are famous for their japanned and lacquered
wares ; porcelain and silk are also extensively manufac-
tured. Gold, silver, copper. and tin are found in con-
ziderable quantities.
Like the Chinese, the Japanese are highly civilized,
and have made great progress in manufactures and Sci-
ences. They were very exclusive, and up to 1854 only
a few Chinese and two Dutch vessels were allowed an-
Nually to trade at Nagasaki, Since then, the Americans
in 1854, and the British in 1858. coneluded treaties with
them, by which several other ports were opened for
foreign trade. Within the last few years, no country in
the world has made such rapid progress as Japan. Rail-
ways and steamships have been built, education has been
greatly encouraged, and European institutions generally
adopted.
The government is a despotism, and consisted formerly
of two sovereigns—a spiritual emperor, called the Dairi,
or Mikado, who was looked upon as semi-divine, was in-
visible to the people, and who resided at Miako; and
the executive chief, or Sho-goon, called by the Chinese
‘he Tycoon, who resided at Yedo, both in the island of
Niphon. The nobles, or Daimios, were very powerful,
and almost independent princes. In 1868, after siz
months’ war, this divided sovereignty was terminated.
and the Mikado now reigns supreme.
Tokio, formerly called Yedo (900,000), is the largest
town and capital. Kroto or Miako (225,000), the sacred
sapital, where dwells the Mikado, is the principal manu-
facturing and commercial town in Hondo. Mutsmat is
the chief town of Yezo. Yokohama, Simoda, and Kana-
garoa, in Hondo, Nagasakt in Kiusiu, and Hakodadi in
Yezo, are the prineipal ports now open to foreigners.
Komamotou (300,000) is the second city in population ;
and Osaka (270,000), Kagosima (200.000), and Magoya
(125.000) are important eities.
