both sexes and of all ranks axe invariably sent to rudimentary schools;
whether supported by the State or not he does not say. Here the pupils are
all taught to read and write, and are initiated into some knowledge of the
history of their own oountry. Thus much the meanest peasant child is
expected to learn. There are immense numbers of cheap, easy books continually
issuing from the Japan press, which are designed for the instruction
of children or poor people; so it will be seen they have their “ cheap literature.”
Books innumerable of a higher order are provided for the rich, and
all, of both kinds, are profusely illustrated with wood-cuts, engraved on the
same block with the type. Some of these books, which we have examined,
show also that an art but recently introduced in Europe and America is very
old in Japan, viz : that of printing in colors. So that in our modem inventions
of stereotyping and printing in colors, and in our manufacture of cheap
literature for the people generally, Japan has anticipated us by centuries.
Their books consist of works of science, history, biography, geography,
travels, moral philosophy, natural history, poetry, the drama, and encyclopaedias.
Beading is a favorite occupation with both sexes; and it is said to
be common in J apan to see, when the weather permits, a group of ladies and
gentlemen seated by a cool running stream, or in a shady grove, each with
a book.
Of the merits of the Japanese books it is impossible for us to speak with
much confidence. Very few Europeans or Americans know anything of the
language; it is not the easiest of acquisition; and yet, all we have of the
Japanese books is in translation. We doubt if any western scholar has ever
yet mastered it thoroughly, for opportunity has been wanting; and very sure
we are that Klaproth accuses Titsingh of ignorance, and Siebold and Hoffman
similarly accuse Klaproth, while a Japanese at our side informs us
that all are mistaken. Now, without a thorough understanding of the language,
no translation can convey a correct idea of the sentiments expressed,
much less of the spirit embodied in the original. An ex cathedra critical
opinion- on the Japanese literature is, therefore, premaJture. Let us hope
that, ere long, both Europeans and Americans will master the language completely
; and then let them speak.
Music.—-The Japanese music, of which, by the way, the natives are passionately
fond, has nothing in it to recommend it to the ears of Europeans
or Americans. The principal instrument is the samsic or guitar, and every
young female of the upper classes is taught to play upon it. I t is the invariable
accompaniment of ladies when they go to parties; and on these
occasions the female guests sing and play by turns. They have, besides,
various other instruments, but little can be said in commendation of their
music.
Arts o f design, paintings, prints, tic.-—In this department they have
made some progress, and in certain branches have attained to no small skill.
Of anatomy, as we have already said, they know nothing, and consequently
are no sculptors; neither are they portrait painters. They are ignorant of
perspective, and, therefore; cannot paint a landscape ; but in the representation
of a single object, their accuracy of detail and truthful adherence to nature
cannot be surpassed. Their deficiency is in composition. Nothing is more
beautiful than their delineations of a flower, or a fruit, and especially of
birds. The drawing is accurate and the coloring perfect. They make, too,
colors which European artists pronounce to be unrivalled; and some of which
excel any we can produce. The Japanese are very fond of painting, and are
eager collectors of pictures. They sketch boldly with charcoal or ink; and
of an isolated object the drawing, as we have said, is apt to be good. They
do not paint in oil, at all; all their specimens are in water colors, the management
of which they certainly understand very well.
They have prints in great abundance; all, however, are made from wood
cuts, and very often are printed in colors. Engraving on copper has but recently
been introduced among them, and as it has been adopted with great
eagerness, it will probably be prosecuted with success.
We have already said that they make castings in metal of vases and
images, and the sides of their bells are adorned with bas-rdief.
They cannot be said to understand architecture as an art, though they
cut stone and lay it skilfully enough; nor have they any skill in the work of
the lapidary. The country produces precious stones, but they do not know
how to cut or polish them. Hence there is very little jewelry worn by
either sex. But they have a substitute for jewels, such as we cannot make.
This is called syahfdo, in which various metals are so blended and combined
that they produce an effect resembling, very much, fine enamel. This is used,
instead of precious stones, for girdle clasps, sword hilts, boxes, and other
ornamental work.
S E C T I O N V I I I .
NATURAL PRODUCTIONS.
Mineral wealth.— Ksempfer, whom we believe to be as accurate as any
writer on Japan, remarks that, “ the greatest riches of the Japanese soil, and
those in which this Empire exceeds most known countries, consist in all
sorts of minerals and metals, particularly in gold, silver, and copper.” The
gold is found in many parts of the Empire. Sometimes it is obtained from
its own ore, sometimes from the washings of the earth or sand, and sometimes
it is mixed with the copper. The quantity in the country is undoubtedly
great. An old Spanish writer of the seventeenth century tells us that, in