Japan and the Japanese

JAPAN. A. D. 16911692.
or captain, as the Japanese call him, came after us, carried in a
noriiiimi, and was followed by our old chief interpreter, carried in
a kango. The procession was closed by the rest of our servants
and retinue, walking a-foot at proper distances, so far as they were
permitted to follow us.
"
In this order we moved on towards the castle, and after about
half an hour's riding came to the first enclosure, which we found
well fortified with walls and ramparts. This we entered over a
large bridge across a broad river, on which we saw great numbers
of boats and vessels. The entry is through two strong gates, with
a small guard between them. Having passed through the second
gate, we came to a large place, where we found another more numerous
guard, which, however, seemed to be intended more for state
than defence. The guard-room was hung about with cloth ; pikes
were planted in the ground near the entry, and within it was curi-
ously adorned with gilt arms, lackered guns, pikes, shields, bows,
arrows and quivers. The soldiers on the ground were in good
order, clad in black silk, each with two scymetars stuck in their
girdle.
" Having passed across this first enclosure, riding between the
houses and palaces of the princes and lords of the empire, built
within its compass, we came to the second, which we found fortified
much after the same manner, only the gates and inner guard and
palaces were much more stately and magnificent. We left our
norimon arid kangos here, as also our horses and servants, and were
conducted across this second enclosure to the Tonomatz [Lord-
street], which we entered over a long stone bridge ; and having
passed through a double bastion, and as many strong gates, arid
thence about twenty paces further through an irregular street, built,
as the situation of the ground would allow it, with walls of an uncommon
height on both sides, we came to the Fiakiiinban, that is,
guard of hundred men, or great guard of the castle. Here we
were commanded to wait till we could be introduced to :iti audience,
which we were told should be as soon as the great council of state
was met in the palace. We were civilly received by the two captains
of the guard, who treated us with tea and tobacco. Soon
>fter, Tsina-Kanii (the governor of Nagasaki resident at Jedo), and
the two commissioners, came to compliment us, along with some gen-