39
JAPAN
and rain to the west coast ; while in summer this region is partly cut off
[rom the moderating influence of the monsoon by the mountains to the
south-east. Communication
with the mainland is hin-
dered by the stormy nature
of the Sea of Japan, and in
winter is interrupted on ac-
count of the dangerous surf
along the coast. The only
western port โ Niigata โ
has, moreover, a bad bar at
the mouth of _the harbour._
It is therefore through the
peninsula of Korea farther
south that Japan has been
brought most closely in
touch with the mainland,
though even the Straits of
Korea are over a hundred
miles across.
The mountains โof Cen-
tral_Hondo_greatly hinder
communication between the
east and west coasts of the island, though a few railways have
been carried across. They also narrowly restrict the areas available
for cultivation, and render the rivers too rapid, and their channels
too choked with the boulders and silt brought down, to be of much use
for navigation. Floods are of constant occurrence, and at times work
great destruction ; but some of the rivers are of value as sources of
water-power. This power has greatly increased in importance since men
have been able to convert it into electrical power, which can be easily
conveyed and utilized as required. The chief value of the mountains lies
in_the_ forests which clothe them, composed of cedars, pines, maples,
bamboos, camphor and lacquer trees. "The last-mentioned yiclds the
Jacquer used in the adornment of many Japanese wares; while the
abundance of timber has led to the erection of paper-mills and match-
factories. The match industry has naturally been encouraged by the
local supplies of sulphur; and the occurrence of kaolin and of copper.
Photnal