P r in t in g »
G u n p o w d e r .
A r c h i t e c t u r e .
C a s t l e s .
T e m p l e s .
L e t me now return to the arts. Printing has been among
them from time immemorial; like the Chinefe, they cut the
letters on blocks o f wood, but excel them in neatnefs; they print
and write like that nation. In this art, attd in feveral others, as
Well as in cuftoms, there is fuch an agreement that I cannot
doubt but that the Chinefe were their original i'nftrudtors in
fci'ence; but, as is often the cafe, the fcholar has excelled the
mafter.
T h e y alfo claim the invention o f gunpowder, but remain inferior
to the Chinefe in its ufes, not only in artillery, but in all
fpecies of fire-works.
T h e architecture o f the Japanefe refembles in fome degree
that o f the Chinefe •, it is much more plain, being not loaden with
ornaments as that of China. The common houfes áre fmall,
confuting of two ftories ; the upper of which is feldom inhabited,
and the reft is almolt deftitute o f furniture, except mats,
and a fmall table to eat on. The cedar (Juttípuus vjrginianaj
fir, and the bamboo, ate the great materials for building. Their
mirrors are made of metal, but never ufed but at their toilers.
The windows are covered with a white paper thin enough to
admit the light.
T he caftles of the nobility confiftof three different inclofures,
one round the other, and are defended by a deep ditch; but
never by artillery : they a're ufually at the ikirts of large towns,;
the owners are bound to keep them in repair.
T he temples are often very magnificent, and fome are peculiarly
remarkable for the height of the roof, the elegance o f the
fculpture, and beauty o f the gilding and painting.
Here
Here are confiderable manufactures of filk and cotton, the
produce o f their own country; but the Dutch arc allowed to
import a great quantity of cloths, fluffs, chintzes and cottons.
T he drefs of the better'fort o f people are filk, o f the lower,
cotton. Their habits are loofe gowns with large ileeves. In
fummer they are thin ; in winter quilted ; and often they put
on one or more additional, according to the feverity o f the feafon.
The women’s apparel refembles the men s., only the gowns of
the former are much longer, and trail on the ground ; men of
rank alfo wear trowfers, and ihort black jackets placed over their
gowns. They ufe fandals, but do not wear ftockings; and
always go bare-headed, except in a journey, when they put on
a conical cap of ftraw; at other times they protea themfelves
from the fun and rain by fans and umbrellas.
T he manufaaure o f porcelain is of great antiquity.
I c o n c l u d e the account of Japan with a very brief mention
o f the two capitals, o f which Miaco is the moft antient, and the
original feat o f empire. The plan is given by Kaempfer*,
copied from the original now depofited in the Britifh Mufeum,
by which it appears moft regularly built, the ftreets crofling each
other at right angles. It lies in about Lat. 35* 40' north, in a
large plain, furrounded with beautiful verdant hills and mountains,
and watered by numbers o f fmall ftreams;. Miaco is the
refidence of the Dairo, or ecclefiaftical emperor, and is full of
manufaaures of all kinds, being the chief mercantile town in
the empire. Here, the richeft fluffs with gold and filver flowers
are woven ; copper fmelted ; and among the moft trifling matters,
are made the puppets with moving heads.
* Hift. of Japan, vol. it. tab. 27.
M m a T h e
Sil k a n d
C o t t o n .
H a b it s .
P o r c e l a in .
M ia c o .