626 THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. [niAr. 



Daiyo daiyin, and the Imperial Prince, Sanyo Sanito:\ii, 

 showed us much friendliness. The latter looked a sickly young 

 man, some years past twenty. He was, however, much older, 

 and had taken a leading part in the most important political 

 transactions since the opening of the ports. Our host, Admiral 

 Kawamura, had more the appearance of a man of science than 

 of a warrior. The modest exterior, however, concealed a great 

 and noble man. For Kawamura, as commander of the Mikado's 

 troops, had with special distinction brought about the suppression 

 of the revolt under the brave Saigo Kichinosuke, who had at the 

 restoration of the power of the Mikado been its heart and sword, 

 but soon after fell before the government he himself contributed 

 to create, and is now, a couple of years after, admired and sung 

 by former friends and by former enemies as a national hero. All 

 the Japanese present at the cUjeiiner were clad in European 

 dress — in black dress coat and white tie. Even the interpreters 

 and attendants wore the European dress. The people, the lower 

 officials, and the servants in private houses are still clothed in 

 the Japanese dress, but do not wear a sword, which is now 

 prohibited. Many of the people have even exchanged the old 

 troublesome Japanese dressing of the hair for the convenient 

 European style. 



In the course of conversation after the ddjcijbncr the minister.'^ 

 offered to do all they could to make our stay in the country 

 agreeable and instructive. Distinguished foreigners are always 

 well received in Japan, and we are informed that a special 

 committee is appointed to make arrangements for their re- 

 ception. This has given offence in certain quarters, and 

 shortly before our arrival a proclamation was issued b}^ a secret 

 society, which threatened, if no change were made, to kill one of 

 the ministers and one of the foreigners who were entertained 

 in this, in the opinion of the secret society, extravagant way. 

 One of my Japanese friends promised me a copy of the pro- 

 clamation, but did not keep his promise, probably because it 

 was impossible for the uninitiated to get hold of the dangerous 

 writing. 



On the 13th September a grand dinner was arranged for us 

 by the German Club, the photographer Andersen being chair- 

 man. The hall was adorned in a festive manner with flags, 

 and with representations of the Vega in various more or less 

 dangerous positions among the ice, which had been got up 

 for the occasion ; the bill of fare had reference to the cir- 

 cumstances of our wintering, &c. A number of speeches were 

 made ; the feeling was cheerful and merry. 



On the 15th September there was a grand entertainment in 

 Tokio, given by the Tokio Geographical Society, the Asiatic 

 Society of Japan, and the German Asiatic Society. It was 



