Japan and the Japanese

380 JAPAX. A. D. 1C90 1692.
plcasantest ; also otherwise, as has been mentioned, reckoned the
chief. The landlord observes the same cu.-toms upon our arrival,
as upon the arrival of the princes and lords of the empire. He
comes out of the town or village into the fields to meet us, clad in a
kamisimo, or garment-of' ceremony, and wearing a short scymetar stuck
in his girdle, making his compliments with a low bow, which before
the norimons of the Bugio and our Resident is so low, that he
touches the ground with his hands and almost with his forehead.
This done, he hastens back to his house, and receives us at the
entry a second time, in the same manner, and with the same com
plimeuts.
" As soon as we are come to the inn, our guardians and keepers
carry us forthwith across the house to our apartments. Nor, indeed,
are we so much displeased at this, since the number of spectators
and the petulant scoffing of the children, but, above all, the exhaus-
tion of a fatiguing journey, make us desirous to take our rest, ihe
sooner the better. We are, as it were, confined to our apartments,
having no other liberty but to walk out into the small garden behind
the house. All other avenues, all the doors, windows and holes,
which open any prospect towards the streets or country, are care-
fully shut and nailed up, in order, as they would fain persuade us,
to defend us and our goods from thieves, but in fact to watch and
guard us as thieves and deserters. It must be owned, however,
that this superabundant care and watchfulness is considerably less-
ened upon our return, when we have found means to insinuate our-
selves into their favor, and by presents and otherwise to procure
their connivance.
" The Bugio takes possession of the best apartment after ours.
The several rooms next to our own are taken up by the Dosiu,
interpreters and other chief officers of our retinue, in order to be
always near at hand to watch our conduct, and to care that none
of our landlord's domestics nor any other person presume to come
into our apartment, unless it be by their leave and in their pres-
ence ; and in their absence they commit this care to some of their
own or our servants ; though all the companions of our voyage in
general are strictly charged to have a watchful eye over us. Those
who exceed their fellow-servauts in
vigilance are, by way of encour-