j A P A N .
' CHAPTER I.
I llsT ORIcA l G e O GRAJIIY. :
Names .— Extent.— Original Population.— Progreffive Geography,~Hijlorical'
j Epocty-aridiApfiquities.'
T'HE kingdom, or, as it is by fome ftyled, the empire of Japan, has
by moft geographers been clafled among the Afiatic ifles, and has
-in confequencebeen treated with more brevity than its importance demands.
For, excepting China, no exifting Afiatic monarchy can afpire
to fuperior rank, :or fa more calculated to excite-rational curiofity, from
the Angularity of its government, abundant populatio’n, progrefs in .the
arts of life, and peculiar manners of the people. The Japanefe -iflands
may in fome meafure be compared with Great Britain and Ireland,
forming a grand infular power near the eaftern extremity of Alia, like
that of the Britiflx ifles near the weftern extremity of Europe. Nor are
ample modern materials wanting ; for the honeft 'and induftrious
Kaempfer has given us a defcription which foniietimes rivals the Britannia
of Camden in minutenefs and precifion ; and Thunberg, an able, natu-
ralift, has in his travels produced a fupplement; - fo that few deficiencies
remain in our knowledge of this interefting country.
Marco