The Genius and Character of the Japanese.

more free from the encroachments, fraudulent attempts, or open attacks of others.

The regulations they have adopted in this particular are not to be paralleled in the whole world. The inhabitants have been forbidden to leave the empire upon pain of death, and no foreigners are fuffered to come into the country, except a few Dutchmen and fome Chinese, who, during the whole time of their stay, are watched like ftate prifoners. The people of distinction, and those that are rich, have a great number of attendants; and every one, in general, has fome attendant in his houfe, to wait upon him, and when he goes abroad, to carry his cloak, fhoes, umbrella, lantern, and other things that he may want of a fimilar

nature.

25

fpeaks to them, or they are to prefent any thing to another, they bow in the fame manner. If a person of inferior rank meets his fuperior in the ftreet, he remains in the polture above-mentioned till the latter has paffed him. If they are equals, they both make the fame obeifance, ftanding ftill, and then go on with their backs bent for a fhort time after they have paffed each other. On entering any houfe, they fall on their knees, and bow their heads more or less low; and before they rife to go away, perform the fame obeisance.

This nation, as well as many others, carry their curiofity to a great length. They examine narrowly every thing that is carried thither by the Europeans, and every thing that belongs to them. They are continually afking for information upon every fubject, and fre

questions. Among the merchants who arrive here, it is chiefly the phyfician of the embaffy that is confidered by the Japanese as learned; and confequently, on the little ifland fet apart for the factory, and

as alfo during the retidence of the Dutch in the metropolis, they look up to him as an oracle, whom they fuppofe capable of giving them information upon every fubject, particularly on thofe of mathematics, geography, natural philofophy, pharmacy, zoology, botany, and phyfic.

With refpect to courtesy and fubmiffion to their fuperiors, few can be compared to the Japanefe. Sub-quently tire the Dutch out with their ordination to government, and obedience to parents, are inculcated into children in their early infancy, and in every fituation of life they are in this refpect instructed by the good example of their elders, which has this effect, that the children are fel-particularly in the journey to court, dom reprimanded, feclded, or chaftifed. The interior clafs of people fhew their respect to those of a higher rank, by bowing very low, and in the most reverential manner, and at the fame time pay implicit obedience to them cheerfully and without hesitation. Their equals they always falute with great politenefs, both at meeting and parting. In general they bend their backs with their heads downwards, and lay their hands either on their knees, or elfe on their legs below their knees, and fometimes bring them down to their feet, accordingly as a greater or lefs degree of refpect is to be fhewn; and the greater the veneration, the nearer their heads approach the ground. If any one VOL. XXV

During the audience we had of the emperor, the privy-counfellors, and others of the higheft officers of ftate, we were furveyed from head to foot, as alfo our hats, fwords, clothes, buttons, lace, watches, canes, rings, &c. nay, we were even obliged to write in their prefence, in order to fhew them our manner of writing, and our characters.

In mechanical ingenuity and invention, this nation keeps chiefly to

E

that

26

The Genius and Character of the Japanese.

and brought to hear reafon; but is not to be moved in the leaft by threats, or any thing like defiance,

Juftice is held facred all over the country. The monarch never injures any of his neighbours; and no inftance is to be found in hiftory, ancient or modern, of his having thewn an ambition to extend his ter

that which is neceffary and useful, but in industry it excels most others. Their works in copper and other metals are fine, and in wood both neat and lafting; but their welltempered fabres, and their beautiful lacquered ware, exceed every thing of the kind that has hitherto been produced elsewhere. The diligence with which the hufbandman culti-ritories by conqueft. The hiftory of vates the foil, and the pains they Japan affords numberless infances of bestow on it, are fo great as to the heroifm of thefe people in the fecm incredible. defence of their country against foreign invafions, or internal infurrec-,

Frugality has its principal feat in Japan. It is a virtue as highly eftions, but not one of their encroach teemed in the imperial palace as in the pooreft cottage. It is in confequence of that, the middling clafs of people are contented with their little pittance, and that the accumulated ftores of the rich are not diffipated in wantonnefs and luxury. It is in confequence of this that dearth and famine are frangers to this country, and that in the whole extent of this populous empire, fcarcely a needy perfon or beggar is to be found. The people in general are neither parfimonious nor avaricious, and have a fixed diflike to gluttony and drunkennefs. The foil is not wafted upon the cultivation of tobacco, or of any other ufelefs plant, neither is the grain employed in the diftillation of fpirits, or other idle, not to fay pernicious purposes.

1

Cleanlinefs and neatnefs are attended to as well with regard to their bodies, as to their cloathing, houfes, food, veffels, &c. and they ufe the warm bath daily.

Of their friendly difpofition and good nature, I have frequently with aftonifiment feen manifeft proofs; even at a time when, as now, they have every reafon in the world to hate and defpife the Europeans who traffic there, for their bad conduct and fraudulent dealings. This nation is lofty, 'it is true, but goodnatured and friendly; with gentlenefs and kindness it may be foothed

ments on the land or properties of others. The Japanese have never given way to the weakness of conquering other kingdoms, or fuffering any part of their own to be taken from them. They have ever followed, and fill continue to follow, the ufages and customs of their forefathers, and never adopt the manners of other nations. Juftice conftantly prefides at their tribunals, where caufes are adjusted without delay, and without intrigues or partiality. The guilty finds no where an afylum; no refpect is paid to perfons, nor can any one prefume to flatter himself with hopes of pardon, or favour. Juftice is held facred even with respect to engagements with the Europeans, infomuch that treaties once concluded are neither broken, nor even a fingle letter of them altered, unless the Europeans themfelves give occafion to fuch procedures.

Honesty prevails throughout the whole country, and perhaps there are few parts of the world where fo few thefts are committed as here. Highway-robberies are totally unknown. Thefts are feldom heard of; and in their journey to the court, Europeans are fo fecure, that they pay very little attention to their baggage; although in the factory, the common people think it no fun to pilfer a few trifles, particu

larly

The Genius and Character of the Japanese.

larly fugar and tea-cups, from the Dutch, while these articles are carrying to or from the quay.

27

of a fertile imagination, than the fober dictates of truth, did not latter years furnish us with convincing It is highly probable that thefe proofs of their reality. In the year people have not been always fo fuf-799, the Tartars having, for the firft picious as they are at prefent; pof-time, over-run part of Japan with fibly their former internal commo- an innumerable army, and their fleet tions and civil wars, but ftill more having been loft in one night in a hard the frauds of the Europeans, have gale of wind, the Japanese comcalled forth and increafed their mander in chief, on the day followmiftruft, which now, at least in their ing, raised the camp, attacked the commerce with the Dutch and the enemy, routed and put them all to Chinese, is without bounds. the fword, fo that not a man was left alive to return with the tidings of fo unparalleled a defeat, and fo complete a victory. In like manner, when in the year 1281, they were again attacked by the Tartars, to the amount of 240,000 men, the victory was equally great and glorious. The expulfion of the Portuguefe, and the extirpation, at the fame time, of the Chriftian religion, in the feventeenth century, was fo complete. that fcarcely any traces are now to be found of their former

Superftition is more common with them, and rifes to a higher degree than in any other nation; which is owing to the little knowledge they have of moft fciences, and the abfurd principles inculcated into them by their priests, together with their idolatrous doctrines. This fuperftitious difpofition is difplayed at their feafts, their public worship, in the making of folemn promifes, in the ufe of particular remedies, the chufing of lucky or unlucky days, &c. Pride is one of the principal de-existence in the country. The war fects of this nation. They believe that they are honoured with that facred origin from gods, from heaven, the fun and moon, which many Afiatic nations as arrogantly, as abfurdly, lay claim to. They confequently think themfelves to bety of the Japanese. I thall here adfomewhat more than other people, and in particular, confider the Europeans in a very indifferent light. Whatever injury a Japanese might be inclined to put up with, he can never bear to have his pride touched. It was pride that expelled the Portaguefe from the country, and this alone may in time ruin the prefent flourishing traffic carried on by the Dutch.

Befides the circumftance of this nation having never (not even in the remoteft ages) been conquered or fubjected to any foreign power, we read in the annals of its history fuck accounts of its valour and unconquerable spirit, as might rather be taken for fables, and the produce

and devaftation continued for the fpace of forty years: feveral millions were victims, and at the laft fiege thirty-feven thousand men fell. Thefe victories are not the only proof of the courage and intrepidi

duce another inftance still more to the purpofe. The affair happened in the year 1630. A fmall Japanefe veffel arrived for the purpofe of trading at the ifland of Formofa, which at that time belonged to the Dutch East India company. One Peter Nuytz, who was at that time governor, treated the Japanese merchants ill, who arrived there in this veffel, and who on their return home, complained to their prince of the ill treatment they had received. As the prince took fire at this infult, and the more fo as it came from foreigners whom he defpifed, and at the fame time he did not find himfelf in a condition to revenge himself; his guards addrefled him

28

Story of Bhazmant; or the Confident Man.

in the following manner: "We did I fee a people lefs fubject to fud

do not confider ourselves as worthy any longer to nave the cares of your highnefs's perfon, unless you permit us to retrieve your honour. Nothing can efface this ftain but the blood of the offender. You have only to command, and we will cut off his head, or bring him hither alive, to be treated as you fhall think proper, and according to his deferts. Seven of us will be fufficient for the purpose. Neither the danger of the voyage, the ftrength of the caftle, nor the number of the guards, fhall fcreen him from our vengeance."

den emotions and affections of the mind. Abuse them, defpife them,

or touch their houour as much as you please, they will never anfwer you a fingle fyllable, but merely with a long eb! eh! teftify, as it were, their furprife, and conceive in filence the greatest hatred for their opponent, which no juftification, nor length of time, nor change of circumftances, can afterward efface. Thus they are not used to treat their enemies uncivilly either in word or behaviour, but deceive them as well as others, with diffembled friendship, till fooner or later an opportunity offers of doing them fome material injury.

STORY of BHAZMANT; or the
CONFIDENT MAN.

(From the Arabian Tales: or a Continuation of the Arabian Nights Entertainments.)

Accordingly, having received the prince's permiffion, and confulted upon the measures proper to be taken, they arrived at Formosa. They were no fooner introduced to the governor in order to have an audience, than they all drew their fabres, made him prifoner, and carried him on board the veffel that had brought them. This happened in broad day-light, in the fight of his guards and domeftics, and without any one offering to stir in defence of their mafter, or to rescue him from his bold conductors, who, with their swords drawn, threatened to cleave his head in two the moment the leaft oppofition fhould be made. This anecdote may be feen in Kempfer's Defcription of Japan, Appen-able generals ?" replied the king. dix, p. 56.

Any one that, from what has been faid above, has formed to himself a notion of the pride, juftice, and courage of the Japanefe, will not be much astonished when he is told, that this people, when injured, are quite implacable. As they are haughty and intrepid, fo they are refentful and unforgiving; they do not fhew their hatred, however, with violence, or warmth of temper, but frequently conceal it under the mask of an inconceivable fang-froid, and wait with patience for the proper ime to revenge themfelves. Never

K

ING Bhazmant being too much addicted to the pleasures of the table, was one day indulging in intemperate feftivity, when his vizier came to inform him that his capital was befieged by enemies.

"Have not I good troops and

"Let all be attended to, but come not hither to disturb my pleasures.' "I fhall obey, fire," replied the vizier, but confider that the Almighty difpofes of thrones, and that if you invoke not his aid, your power and wealth will be infufficient to fupport your's." Bhazmant, regardless of this advice, funk back into the arms of voluptuoufnefs, and, notwithstanding the valour of his foldiers, was obliged to flee when he awaked out of his debauch, as the well-directed force of the enemy had made them mafters of the city.

The fugitive prince tock refuge

with

Story of Bhazmant; or the Confident Man.

with one of his allies, who being his father-in-law and friend, furnished him with a powerful army, with which he hoped foon to recover his dominions, and to avenge himfelf on his enemies. Having full confidence in this affiftance, he began his march at the head of thefe troops, and proceeded to the capital which he had loft. But victory again declared in favour of the ufurper. His army was routed, and he owed his own fafety to the fwiftuefs and ftrength of his horfe, who being purfued by the conqueror, plunged into an arm of the fea on the way, and carried his rider fafe to the oppofite shore.

At no great distance ftood a fortified city, named Keraffin, then under the dominion of king Abadid. Bhazmant took the way to that city, and prefented himself at the house appropriated for the reception of poor ftrangers. He learned that king Abadid had his refidence in Medinet-Ilahid, the capital of the kingdom; he therefore continued his journey thither, arrived, and demanded an audience of the fovereign, which was immediately granted him. His figure and afpect prepoffeffed the monarch in his favour. He put various questions to him concerning his condition in life, his country, and the circumftances which had brought him to Medinet-Ilahid.

"I was an officer of diftinction," answered he," in the court of king Bhazmant, and was warmly attached to that prince. That unfortunate monarch has moft probably fallen in his last battle with the ufurper of his dominions, to whom my duty and gratitude permit me not to attach myfelf. Being, therefore, to chufe a new mafter, I come to offer myfelf and my fervices in the first place to your majefty," Abadid, who was a man of prudence and penetration, conceived a favourable opinion of the ftranger, who had with fo much franknefs offered him his fervices.

7

29

| He made him liberal prefents, and affigned him a diftinguished place among the officers of his court.Bhazmant might have been pleased with his new fituation, if he could have banished from his mind the remembrance of his former fortune, and could have forgotten that he had loft a kingdom.

A neighbouring power was at that time threatening Abadid with an invafion of his dominions. That prince put himself in a polture of defence, and ufed every proper precaution, that he might be enabled to repulfe the enemy. He took arms himself, and proceeded out of his capital, at the head of a numerous army.

Bhazmant commanded the van-guard. The two armies joined battle. Abadid and Bhazmant behaved as experienced generals, dif tinguished themselves by prodigies of valour, and the enemy were to tally defeated.

Bhazmant extolled to heaven the high deeds and the skilful plans of king Abadid. «Sire,,' faid he, "with an army fo well-difciplined, and conducted fo fkilfully, you might conquer the moft formidable nations upon earth." "You are mistaken,” replied the fage monarch," without God's affiftance I fhould not be able to refift the feebleft animal in the creation; it is only by trufting in him that we are enabled to exert our ftrength and courage to advantage, to plan our enterprizes with prudence, and to preferve that prefence of mind which is necellary in regulating all our operations. If I had not made my recourfe to him, my hands muft have been weak, however apparently strong."

"I am convinced of the truth of what you fay," replied Bhazmant. "The misfortunes which I have myfelf fuffered are an eminent proof of it. Falfe prudence has induced me to conceal from you hitherto my name and misfortunes. You behold before you the unhappy Baazmant

whofe