Japan and the Japanese

286 JAPAN. A. D. 1COO 1C92.
ried in I\~orimo?is and Kanyos, or particular sorts of chairs or litters
The fianie is usual likewise in cities. People of quality are carried
about after this manner for state, others for ease and convenience.
There is a wide difference between the litters men of quality go in,
and those of ordinary people. The former are sumptuous and magnificent,
according to every one's rank and riches. The latter are
plain and simple. The former are commonly called Noriinons, the
latter Kangos. The vulgar (in all nations master of the language)
have called them by two different names, though, in fact, they are
but one thing. Norimon r-ignines, properly speaking, a thing to sit
in ; Kango, a basket. Both sorts rise through such a variety of
degrees, from the lowest to the highest, from the plainest to the
most curious, that a fine is Kango scarce to be distinguished from a
plain and simple Norimon, but by its pole. The pole of a Kango
is plain, massy, all of one piece, and smaller than that of a Nori-
mon, which is large, curiously adorned and hollow. The pole of a
Norimon is made up of four thin boards, neatly joined together, in
form of a wide arch, and much lighter than it appears to be.
Princes and great lords show their rank and nobility, amongst
other things, particularly by the length and largeness of the poles
of their Noiimons. People who fancy themselves to be of greater
quality than they really arc, are apt now and then to get the poles
of their Norimons or Kangcs much larger than they ought to have
been. But then, also, they are liable to be obliged by the magistrates,
if they come to know of it, to reduce them to their former
size, with a severe reprimand, if not a considerable punishment,
into the bargain. This regulation, however, doth not concern the
women, for they may, if they please, make use of larger poles
than their own and their husbands' quality would entitle them to.
The Norimon itself is a small room, of an oblong square figure, big
enough for one person conveniently to sit or He in, curiously woven
of fine, thin, split bamboos, sometimes japanned and finely painted,
with a small folding-door on each side, sometimes a small window
before and behind. Sometimes it is fitted up for the conveniency
of sleeping in it. It has at top a roof, which in rainy weather has
a covering of varnished pa] er. It is carried by two, four, eight or
more men, according to the quality of the person in it. who (if he
be a prince or lord of a province) carry the pole on the palms of