Recollections of Japan ... With observations on the geography, climate, population, and productions of the country ... To which are prefixed chronological details of the rise, decline, and renewals of British commercial intercourse with that country. (Account of the voyages of Messrs. Chwostoff...

Front matter

RECOLLECTIONS OF JAPAN, COMPRISING A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE RELIGION, LANGUAGE, GOVERNMENT, LAWS AND MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE, WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE ■SSeograpiJB, ©limat*, population & i ons OF THE COUNTRY. / y ,-T- CAPTAIN GOLOWNIN, R. N. AUTHOR OF " NARRATIVE OF A THREE-<YEARS* CAPTIVITY IN JAPAN." TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED Œ&rottological ©trails OF THE RISE, DECLINE, AND RENEWAL OK BRITISH COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE WITH THAT COUNTRY- LONDON: PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN, PUBLIC LIBRARY, CONPUIT STREET, HANOVER SQUARE. 1819.

ADVERTISEMENT.

. On introducing the Recollections of Captain Golownin to the British Public, we have to notice some extraordinary charges brought against our former publication, (the Narrative of Captain Golownin's Captivity) , by the Editor of the British Review, and which we are inclined to think must have emanated rather from the malicious suggestions of some disappointed and envious Counter-Coxcomb, than from the mind of, the Editor of a Journal that aspires to the character of respectability ; though it is only in deference to the opinion of some of our friends that we avert to accusations, which the success of the work has proved to be as impotent as they are futile. These accusations may be reduced to three heads : — I. — The not having stated the work to have been originally written in Russian, and having likewise left unnoticed a German translation, so that, in the language of the Reviewer, " the reader is left to suppose that a Russian Captain sent his manuscript from Kamtschatka, or St.Petersburgh, in good English, to be printed in London" ! ! !

Preface

. The Narrative of my Captivity in Japan has suffi ciently proved that the means which I had in my power to collectinformation, respecting* that people and the Empire, were defective and extremely limited. It would therefore be superfluous for me to make any apology. I merely think it ne cessary to remark, that I have taken the greater part of these notices respecting Japan, from our conversations with our interpreters and guards ; but as it frequently happened that they contra dicted each other entirely, in the accounts they gave, I considered it as my duty to set down, in my remarks, only such things as were confirmed by the concurrent testimony of several Japanese. If Japan were better known to the Europeans than it really is, I could not have ventured to annex to my Narrative such imperfect and insufficient accounts of this remarkable Empire. But in the actual state of our knowledge of Japan 1 may hope that the public will receive them with indulgence.

PREFACE.

. Notwithstanding* the conciseness of my remarks, 1 have thought it better to divide them under several heads : — I. Geographical situation, Climate and Extent. II. Origin of the Japanese Nation. III. Religion and Religious Customs. IV. National Character, Civilization and Language. V. Government of the Empire. VI. Laws and Customs. VII. Productions of the Country ; Trade and Commerce. VIII. Population and Military force ; and lastly, IX. People who pay tribute to the Japanese, and Colonies. Erratum— Page2S4... for Chap. V. read Chap. CONTENTS. iv General Introduction, containing Chronological De. tails of the Rise, Decline, and Renewal of British Con* mercial Intercourse with Japan. Chap. I. Geographical Situation, Climate and Extent. I Chap. II. Origin of the Japanese Nation. — Ancient Traditions — Authentic History. 7 Chap. III.

National Character, Civilization and Language — First discovery of — Hatred to Christianity — Courage and Temperance General Incontinence — Female Dissoluteness — Education and Talents — Geographical Knowledge — Political Suspicions — General Politeness — Varieties of Language. 14 Chap. IV. Religion, and Religious Customs — Mythological Superstitions — Braminical Doctrines — Japanese Methodism — Atheistical Ideas — Priestly Intolerance — Popular Superstitions — Miracles and Astrology — Forms of Worship — Religious Mendicants — Facilities of Conversion— Punishment of Ecclesiastics — Monks and Nuns. 41 Chap. V. The Government of the Empire — Imperial Government — Divided Empire — State of Politics — Imperial Succession — Laws Promulgated — Executive Government — Public • Functionaries — Police — Navigation and Trade — Civil and Criminal Justice— Military Affairs M contents.

VI Page 81 14 8 216 234 251 Chap. VI. Laws aud Manners — Privileges of Nobility — Military Regulations — Social Gradations — Middle and Lower Ranks — Domestic Slavery — Legal Institutions — Adultery — Law- Suits — Marriage Ceremony — Paternal Attachment — Female Constancy in the Married State — Restrictive Policy — Domestic Gardens — Civic Discipline— Courtly Costume — Female Attire — Dress of the Men — Articles of Dress — Food — Temperance — Equipages — Mode of Travelling Music, Songs and Dances — Theatrical Entertainments. Chap. VII. Productions of the Country — Agriculture — Manufactures — Fisheries — Making of Salt — Natural Products — Cotton — Silk — Copper — Iron — Timber — Tea — Tobacco Horses — Cattle — Hemp — Lead — Tin, &c. — Pearls — Marbles Fruits, Vegetables, &c. — Domestic Animals, Poultry — Wild Animals — Birds, Fish, &c. — State of the Fine Arts — Foreign Trade — Custom-Houses — Smuggling Regulations — Coins — Paper Currency — Trade with the Chinese and Dutch.

Chap. VIII. Population and Military force — Infanticide — Prevalence of Blindness — Extent of the Metropolis — Arms, Uniform, and Pay of the Soldiers — Officers, &c. — Imperfect Construction of Ships — Skill of Japanese Sailors. Chap. IX. Nations that pay tribute to the Japanese and Colonies — Kurile Language and Origin — Kurile Religion Their Food and Customs — Domestic Manners — Account of the Voyages of Messrs. Chwostoff ajid Dawidoff. GENERAL

Introduction

. The circumstances detailed, and so modestly put forth in the Author's Preface, first suggested the idea of comparing Captain Golownin's recollections with the various extensive details handed down to us, from the first period of Euro pean intercourse with Japan, to the present day. The result of this examination exhibits Japan as presenting the spectacle of a nation advancing to a certain point in civilization, and there becoming stationary, at least in science and domestic arts ; though perhaps retrograding in morals and even in civil liberty— a fact highly deserving the attention of the politician and the statistical economist, and pointedly demanding every illustration that for mer writers can supply. There can be no doubt that the extraordinary fact, here adverted to, may be partly accounted for, in consequence of the suppression of Chris tianity in that country, and the jealous prohibition,

INTRODUCTION.

. II amounting almost to a total interdict, of all inter course with foreign nations, from whence, had they been permitted, might have flowed an amelioration of the moral relations and a greater portion of political freedom, that would have produced more social happiness than can possibly exist in a country where, though few are actually in abso lute distress and pauperism, yet there are but two classes, the noble and ignoble, without the gradations of rank and wealth which so happily, yet almost imperceptibly, link together the extremes of society in the British Empire. But, other cau ses may also have operated ; many of which will be found in the multifarious notes drawn from sources whose aecuracy cannot be doubted, but which to general readers are little known. In the selection of these, the strictest impartiality has been observed.

In general, facts alone have been at. tended to. These are set both in apposition and opposition to Captain Golownin's details, and tend much to corroborate the accuracy of his Recollec tions ; whilst, in regard to points interesting ia themselves, but respecting which, circumstances precluded him from being sufficiently diffuse, they

INTRODUCTION.

. III have been made available for general illustration and the gratification of public curiosity. Thunberg, the latest writer, with the exception of our present author, observes that the Em pire of Japan is in many respects a singular coun try, and with regard to customs and institution*-, totally different from Europe : but, notwithstanding this is generally true, it is not the less remark able, that many of theit institutions, and much of their manners, as will be seen more at large in the accompanying notes, are absolutely sac-similes of our own feudal times, and demonstrate the exis tence of that system to a much greater extent than our ablest writers have hitherto imagined ; at the same time, corroborating the similarity frequently noticed between Japan and Great Britain, and opening a wide field of speculation for the spirit of political prophecy, whenever an unrestricted in tercourse shall exist between that country and the world at large.

But, it may be asked, of what importance is Japan to us ? — a country with which we haveno political or commercial intercourse — Let it be remembered, however, that we once held an intimate correspondence with that country ; .. «2

INTRODUCTION.

. correspondence broken up for reasons that no lon ger exist, and checked, in the attempt to renew it,. by circumstances which have long ceased to operate. It becomes, therefore, a point more than pro bable, that an intercourse with that very extensive Empire may again exist ; an intercourse valuable to both nations, and much to be hoped for at the present crisis. A direct commerce of this country with Japan, if established under honorable circumstances, could not fail to be highly advantageous in general, but especially with respect to the fur-trade on the American coast. Forty years ago, the Russian merchants at Kamtschatka could af ford thirty roubles for a sea-otter's skin, whish eventually was to find its way to the Japan market, by a most expensive and circuitous route ; as they must first be carried to Kiatcha, on the Chinese frontier, where the native merchant purchases them at cent per cent ; a profit little enough to reim burse a land-carriage of 1364 miles through a de sert country.

From Kiatcha the skins are curried 760 miles further to Pekin, and thence to Japan ! what profits might not then be expected by an English trader going at once with her cargo of

INTRODUCTION.

. V furs from Nootka Sound and its vicinity, to the Ja panese out-ports, where a vessel of 20 guns, well manned, and judiciously and cautiously directed, might bid defiance to their whole naval force. From the jealousy and timidity of the Japanese a first visit might not be very successful ; but in a short time there might be established an inter course much more profitable than our former force-trade on the Spanish main. These conside rations are a sufficient inducement to offer, par ticularly to the commercial world, a brief sketch of the first opening* of the Japan trade in the 17th century, of its decline and stoppage, ofa subsequent i unsuccessful attempt of renewal, of the mode and means of future intercourse, and of the probable advantages that may result from it. It may there fore be observed, that English nautical enterprize had already begun to manifest itself in voyages of discovery and warfare, and in mercantile specula tion to India and the oriental islands ; and intelli gence of the very lucrative trade carried on by Spain, Portugal, and Holland, with Japan, had in duced the India merchants, early in the reign of James the first, to prepare an expedition to that VI

INTRODUCTION.

. country ; when circumstances of a most favorable nature took place by the arrival of an Englishman at the Japanese court, who acted as an ambassador, though unaccredited, and proved to be of essential service in the establishment of the first attempts at trade. This person, William Adams, had been a mas ter in the navy in the reign of Elizabeth, and af terwards was in the employ of the Barbary com pany ,• but, being actuated by a desire to acquire a knowledge of the Indian navigation, he engaged as pilot on board the Admiral's ship of a fleet of five sail, fitted out by the Dutch India Company. They sailed from the Texel in 1598, passed through the straits of Magellan towards the South- Sea in 1599, cruized for some time on the coasts of Peru and Chili, half mercantile, half piratical, Lut being at length obliged to leave the coast, they resolved, having a large part of their cargo in woollen cloth, to proceed to Japan, to which they were advised by a man who had been there with the Portuguese, their cargo being more likely to find a sale there, than at the Moluccas, or in the INTRODUCTION, other parts of India with which they were acquainted.

From the unfortunate events of their voyage they were reduced to one ship, and at their arrival on the coast of Japan on the 19th of April 1600, there were only seven persons, including Adams, who were capable of duty. On approaching the shore of Bongo, they had only strength to let go an an chor, when a number of Japanese boats went on board of them, the crews of which, though they offered no personal violence, stole every thing they could lay their hands on. This was, however, soon put a stop to ; for the king, or chief, sent sol diers on board the next day to protect the pro perty, and shortly afterwards assisted the crew to to carry the vessel into a safe harbour, there to remain, until orders should be received from the Em peror respecting herdisposal. At thesame time, the greatest kindness was shewn to them ; the people were allowed to land, and an hospital was provided for the sick, with every kind of refreshment for those who were still well. It is a curious fact, that a jealousy of English interference in the Ja pan trade even now began to manifest itself,

INTRODUCTION.

. though there were but two Englishmen on board the ship — William Adams, and Timothy Shotten also engaged as pilot, and who had been round the world with Candish — for a Jesuit and some other Portuguese from Nangasaki having paid them a visit, these very conscientious gentlemen assured the Japanese, that the English were not merchants but pirates, which gave both the chief and the common people such a very bad impression of these two helpless individuals, that they expected every hour to be crucified, as a punishment for their alledged crimes. Nor were the Dutchmen backward in aiding the Portuguese in their nefa rious designs, two of these entering into the Japa nese service, claiming all the property on board the ship, disclosing every secret to the Portuguese, and doing all in their power to injure the English cause.

A short time after their arrival, an order came for Adams to go to the court, where by means of a Japanese that could speak Portuguese, the Empe ror asked him numberless questions respecting* England, his religion, the political state of Europe, the route by which he had arrived, &c. This in-

INTRODUCTION.

. IX terview lasted several hours, during which Adams informed the Emperor, that England was at war with Spain and Portugal; and, when his Majesty was about to retire, he had the good sense and pa triotism to entreat, that the English might be granted the same commercial privileges as the Por tuguese and Spaniards. To this the Emperor an swered; but Adams understood it not; another examination of him took place, two days after wards, in which he gave the most rational answers to all the Imperial queries, assuring his majesty that he came not so great a distance, from any treacherous design, but from the general disposition of his nation, " which was to cultivate friendship and commerce with all other countries by exchanging their own commodities for theirs, whereby, mutual riches and advantages were ob tained."

After this, Adams received better treatment; but was detained six weeks in confinement, during which time, the Jesuits and other Portu guese, used all means of vilifying the English, saving, that they were a company of thieves and robbers gathered out of all nations, and that if these men were suffered to live, it would turn out greatly X

INTRODUCTION.

. to the disadvantage of Japan, since every other nation would come on purpose to rob the country ; but, if justice were to be administered, it would deter the English from coming there any more. The Emperor answered very coolly to these repre sentations, that as yet these strangers had done no damage to him or his subjects, and therefore, it was against reason and justice to put them to death — a reply which, in some measure, silenced their enemies ; and which was followed by a most friendly patronage of Adams on the part of the Emperor, whom he gratified most highly by building for him, a vessel of eighty tons, on the English model, and even by teaching such parts of geome try and mathematics, as he himself was acquainted with. In 1605, Adams, anxious to return to his country again, requested the Emperor to permit his return, promising that he would engage both the English and Dutch to open a commerce with Japan ; the Emperor however refused to part with him, but answered that he was desirous that both nations should come and trade there, directing* him at the same time, to write home for that purpose,

INTRODUCTION.

. XI and also to address such of his countrymen as might be in any part of India. In consequence of this, Adams wrote several letters and gave them in charge to the Dutch captain who was permitted to leave Japan ; but he, after arriving at Malacca, was killed in an action with the Portuguese, and Adams remained without any communication with his countrymen until 1611, when hearing that some English merchants were at the island of Java, he wrote to them a letter, " To my unknown friends and countrymen." This letter, when brought to Bantam, on the 28th of October 1612, was delivered to captain John Saris and his companions, and, " was read to all the merchants, that they might take notice of the hopes there were of trade in that country" (Japan). Captain Saris, with three ships, had sailed from the Downs in April 1611, and proceeded to visit all the uropean parts on the eastern coast of Africa, thence to Mocha in Arabia, and his arrival at Bantam took place in October 1612. In January 1612-13, he sailed from Bantam, bound for Japan, with one ship only, manned with only

INTRODUCTION.

. XII twenty-four Englishmen, one Spaniard, one Japa* nese, and five Indians : and it appears that the principal part of his cargo consisted of seven hun dred sacks of pepper, by way of trial. It is needless to follow him in his route through the islands un til he arrived off Japan, the coast of which was seen, for the first time by an English ship, on the 9th of June 1613: and on the 11th he anchored at Firando, a small island lying off the west coast of Bongo, or Xicoco, where he was received in the most friendly manner by the King, as he calls him, Foyne Sama, and by all tbe nobility and people. Ou a visit of ceremony which the king paid to him on board his ship, Captain Saris delivered a letter from King James, which was received with great satisfaction ; but the king declined opening it until Adams, who was sent for, should be pre present as interpreter.

The Dutch at this period, (first in 1609) had a factory at Firando,, and the chief Kenrick Brower " came aboard, to visit the General (Saris), or ra ther to see what passed between the king and them." Saris afterwards wrote to Adams; and, by the same opportunity, acquainted the Emperor

INTRODUCTION.

. XIII with his being arrived, and upon what business he came. On the 13th Saris delivered his presents to the king, amounting in value to about 140/., amongst which was a large cup : this the king or dered to be filled with sakki, and drank it off to the health of the King of England. Several days now passed in mutual friendship and good offices, notwithstanding the measures which had already been taken by some of our good friends to preju dice the Japanese against us. Purchas relates, that on the 29th, " a soma, orjunke of the Flem ings arrived at Nangasaki from Siam, laden with Brazil-wood and skins of all sorts, wherein it was said that there were Englishmen, but proved to be Flemings. For that before our coming, they passed generally by the name of Englishmen ; for our English nation had been long known by report among them, but much scandalized by the Portu guese Jesuits, as pirates, and rovers upon the seas ; so that the naturals have a song which they call the English crofonia, shewing how the English do take the Spanish ships, which they (singing) do act likewise in gesture with their cattans by their sides, with which song and acting, they terrify

INTRODUCTION.

. their children, as the French sometimes did theirs with the name of the Lord Talbot." Another circumstance also happened, which deserves the attention of those who shall first en deavour to renew the commerce with Japan, in English ships — " The first of July, two of our company happened to quarrel, the one with the other, and were very likely to have gone into the field, to the endangering of us all. For it is a custom here, that whosoever draws a weapon in anger although he do no harm therewith, he is presently cut in pieces ; and, doing but small hurt, not only themselves are so executed, but their whole gene ration." Pending the return of an answer from the Emperor, Captain Saris was preparing to open his commercial transactions, and in the course of his enquiries, he ascertained that part of his cargo, con sisting of broad cloths, was likely to fetch a good price, the Duth then selling cloths, which had only cost fifteen, or sixteen pounds per piece, at the enormous profit of eight pounds for two and a half yards, there called a mat. He was aware that the Dutch had a considerable quantity in their

INTRODUCTION.

. XV warehouses ; and, though he could well have af forded to undersell them in the market, yet he chose to act a more liberal part towards them, by proposing to the chief of their factory, that a price should be mutually fixed on, below which, neither party was to fall. " In the morning he seemed to approve thereof, but ere night, sent word that he disliked it, excusing himself that he had no war rant from his masters to make any such agreement. The next morning, he shipped away great store of cloth to divers islands, rating them at these prices, viz, at twenty, eighteen, and sixteen rials the mat," (instead oi forty the former price,) " that he might procure the more speedy dispatch of his own, and glut the place before the coming of ours. It may be useful to future speculators, to pre sent a slight view of the value of leading articles of commerce al that period — Bantam pepper, ungar bled, which cost at Bantam about one and three fourth rials, or five shillings and two pence per sack,. was worth, at Japan, two pounds ten shil lings ; tin, per pecul of 130 pounds, was worth two pounds ten shillings; elephants' teeth, per pecul,

INTRODUCTION.

. twenty pounds : iron, cast in pigs, one pound ten shillings ; gun-powder, five pounds fifteen shil lings ; Socotrine aloes, one pound ten shillings per cattee, of about twelve ounces ; a fowling piece five pounds; and Indian calicoes, at proportionate prices according to their quality. The arrival of an English ship soon spread far and wide ; and several of the neighbouring princes, particularly the King of Goto, came to Fi rando to gratify their curiosity, and to request the Englishmen might proceed to their several islands where they should receive the heartiest welcome: and, at the close of the month of July, William Adams made his appearance, and informed captain Saris " who conferred with him in the presence of the merchants, touching the encouragement he could give of trade in those parts, that it was not always alike, but sometimes better, sometimes worse, yet doubted not, but we should do as well as others ; giving admirable commendations of the country, as much affected thereto." A circumstance now took place, connected with the progress of Northern discovery, which has uot generally been noticed by writers on that subject.

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. XVII Captain Saris says — " this day there came to Fi rando, certain Spaniards of Mr. Adams's acquaintance, to desire passage in our ship for Bantam. These Spaniards had been belonging to a Spanish gentleman their General, who, about a year past, were come (upon the King of Spain's charge), from Nova Hispania, to discover to the northward of Japan, and arriving at Edoo, attending the mon soon to go to the northward, which beginneth in the end of May, his company, (whereof these were two) mutinied against him, every one taking his own way, leaving the ship utterly unmanned, wherefore I thought it best to keep them out of my ship." Preparations were now made for a journey to court, which the king of Firando was so certain would be permitted, nay desired, that he offered to supply all the boats, horses, and pro visions necessary, and requested a list of those who were to go, in order that he might do it in tjje handsomest manner possible.

If we compare these presents with the modern ones to the Chinese Emperors, the contrast is very striking. Those for the Emperor amounted only to eighty-seven b

INTRODUCTION.

. pounds seven shillings and si-xpence ; for his son to forty-three pounds fifteen shillings ; and the remainder, for different officers of state, merely raised the sum total to one hundred and eighty pounds three shillings and ten-pence! On the 7th of August captain Saris set off for the Japanese court, accompanied by ten English men, but attended by a sufficient retinue, and pro ceeded through a populous country, partly by boats, and soon arrived at a town called Fuccatc, where he " did land and dine there in the towne, the tyde and wind so strong against us, as that we could not passe. The towne seemed to be as greate as London is within the walls, very well built, and even, so as you may see from the one end of the street to the other. The place is ex ceedingly peopled, very civil and courteous, only that at our landing, and being here in Fuccate, and so through the whole country, whithersoever we came, the boys, children, and worser sort of idle people, would gather about and follow after us crying, Core, Core, Cocore ware, that is to say, you Coreans with false hearts: wondering, whoopin--*, hollowing, and making such a noise about us.

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. XIX that -we could scarcely hear one another speak ; sometimes throwing stones at us (but that not in many towns), yet the clamour and crying after us was every where alike, none reproving them for it. The best advice that I can give those who hereaf ter shall arrive there, is that they pass on without regarding those idle rabblements, and in so doing, they shall find their ears only troubled with the noise." This is, no doubt, wholesome advice ; but it is a species of treatment to which English men will not willingly submit. Indeed a trade with Japan would never repay us, if it were to be purchased with the humiliations to which the Dutch have for so many years submitted : for, according even to Thun berg's own account, the ambassa dor and his suite were treated more like dancing dogs than men, and forced to act as such, for the amusement of the Emperor and the ladies of his court : but these unpleasant demands, if properly denied at first, and that denial enforced by the presence of a British squadron, would not again be repeated. Whatever we attempt, our measures must be prompt and decisive ; and cannot be atb XX

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. tended by the same difficulties as have always thwarted our embassies to China. The Japanese court, at this period, were at Surunga, where captain Saris arrived early in Sep tember, and the account of his reception, in his own words, cannot fail to be interesting. " As soon as we were settled in our lodgings. in Surunga, I sent master Adams to the court, to let the secretaries understand of my coming, anil desire of as speedie dispatch as might be ; word was returned that I was welcome, that I should rest me, and within a day or two, I should have access to the Emperor. The seventh was spent in fitting up of the presents, and providing little tables of slit deal of that country, (which smelleth very sweet), to carrie them uponne according ta the custom. " The eighth I was carried in my palanquin to the castle of Surunga, (where the Emperor kept his court) and was attended with my merchants, and others carrying the presents before me.

Be ing entered the castle, I passed three draw-bridges, every of which had a corps of guard, and comins up a paire of verie faire and large stone staires,

INTRODUCTION.

. XXI was met by two grave comely men, the one of them Codskadonu, the Emperor's secretarie, the other Fuegodono, the admiral, who led me into a faire roome matted, where we sat down crosse-legged upon the mats. Anon they led me betwixt them into the chamber of Presence, where was the Emperor's chaire of state, to which they wished me to do reverence. It was of cloth of gold, about five feet high, very richly set forthe for backe and sides, but had no canopie over head. Then they returned back againe to the place where they did sit, where having stayed about one quarter of an houre word was brought that the Emperor was come forth. Then they rose up, and led me betwixt them to the doore of the roome where the Emperor was, making signes that I should enter in there, but durst not look in themselves.