Japan and the Japanese

SAXGA,
CAPITAL OP FIG EN. 337
The second day (Wednesday, February 14) they passed an old
camphor-tree, estimated to be thirty-six feet in circumference, and
hollow within.* At Swot a, where they dined, a seaport on the
gulf of Simabara, was a manufactory of large earthen pots, used by
vessels as water-casks, and also of china ware, made of a whitish
fat clay, abundant in that neighborhood. The same day they vis-
ited a hot spring, much frequented for its medicinal effects, and provided
with accommodations for bathing. There are several others
in the neighborhood.!
Sanyo,, the capital of the province of FIGEN, through which they
passed the next day (Thursday, February 15), without stopping,
was found to be a considerable place, situated not far from the
western border of the province, near the head of the bay of Sima-
bara. " The city," says Kiimpfer, " is very large, but extends more
in length than in breadth. It is exceedingly populous. Both
going in arid coming out we found strong guards at the gates. It
is enclosed with walls, but more for state than defence. The prince
>r petty king of this province resides here in a large castle, which
commands the city. The streets are large, with streams of water
flowing through them. The houses are but sorry and low, and in
the chief streets fftted up for manufactures and shopkeepers. The
inhabitants are very short, but well shaped, particularly the women,
who are handsomer, I think, than in any other Asiatic country,
but so much painted that one would be apt to take them for wax
peculiar sort of complexion-powder made of another shell, one or two young
pearls will grow out at the sides, and when they conie to maturity, as they
do in two or three years, will drop off; but Kiirupfer, having never seen this
phenomenon, is not willing to vouch for its reality.
* The same tree Karnpfer found on his return (May 6)
in full blossom,
and a very beautiful sight. It was noticed as still standing in 1826, by Sie-
bold, who found it by measurement to be fifty feet in circumference.
t Caron also speaks of these springs, some of which he describes as intermittent.
Some are boiling hot, and their waters had been used, as we
have seen, in the torture of the Catholics. They are all found in a volcanic
mountain, having several craters which eject black sand and smoke. In the
interior of the province of Figo, on the opposite shore of the gulf of Sima
bara, is another volcano. The province of Satsuma is entirely volcanic, and
off its southern extremity is an island that burns incessantly. Klaprotht
from Japanese authorities, Jlsiatic Journal, vol. xxx.
29