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to be a species of Tiliaceae。
{21} Yoshitsune is the most popular hero of Japanese history; and
the special favourite of boys。 He was the brother of Yoritomo; who
was appointed by the Mikado in 1192 Sei…i Tai Shogun (barbarian…
subjugating great general) for his victories; and was the first of
that series of great Shoguns whom our European notions distorted
into 〃Temporal Emperors〃 of Japan。 Yoshitsune; to whom the real
honour of these victories belonged; became the object of the
jealousy and hatred of his brother; and was hunted from province to
province; till; according to popular belief; he committed hara…
kiri; after killing his wife and children; and his head; preserved
in sake; was sent to his brother at Kamakura。 Scholars; however;
are not agreed as to the manner; period; or scene of his death。
Many believe that he escaped to Yezo and lived among the Ainos for
many years; dying among them at the close of the twelfth century。
None believe this more firmly than the Ainos themselves; who assert
that he taught their fathers the arts of civilisation; with letters
and numbers; and gave them righteous laws; and he is worshipped by
many of them under a name which signifies Master of the Law。 I
have been told by old men in Biratori; Usu; and Lebunge; that a
later Japanese conqueror carried away the books in which the arts
were written; and that since his time the arts themselves have been
lost; and the Ainos have fallen into their present condition! On
asking why the Ainos do not make vessels of iron and clay as well
as knives and spears; the invariable answer is; 〃The Japanese took
away the books。〃
{22} The duty paid by junks is 4s。 for each twenty…five tons; by
foreign ships of foreign shape and rig 2 pounds for each 100 tons;
and by steamers 3 pounds for each 100 tons。
{23} The following very inaccurate but entertaining account of
this expedition was given by the Yomi…uri…Shimbun; a daily
newspaper with the largest; though not the most aristocratic;
circulation in Tokiyo; being taken in by the servants and
tradespeople。 It is a literal translation made by Mr。 Chamberlain。
〃The person mentioned in our yesterday's issue as 'an English
subject of the name of Bird' is a lady from Scotland; a part of
England。 This lady spends her time in travelling; leaving this
year the two American continents for a passing visit to the
Sandwich Islands; and landing in Japan early in the month of May。
She has toured all over the country; and even made a five months'
stay in the Hokkaido; investigating the local customs and
productions。 Her inspection yesterday of the cremation ground at
Kirigaya is believed to have been prompted by a knowledge of the
advantages of this method of disposing of the dead; and a desire to
introduce the same into England(!) On account of this lady's being
so learned as to have published a quantity of books; His Excellency
the Governor was pleased to see her yesterday; and to show her
great civility; sending her to Kirigaya in his own carriage; a mark
of attention which is said to have pleased the lady much(!)〃
End