JAPANESE PRESENTS. 



369 



As illustrative of tlie usages of the country, we subjoin, in a note, the list of articles presented 

 by the Japanese.* 



While contemplating these substantial evidences of Japanese generosity, the attention of all 

 was suddenly riveted upon a body of monstrous fellows, who tramped down the beach like so 

 many huge elephants. They were professional wrestlers, and formed part of the retinue of the 

 princes, who kept them for their private amusement and for public entertainment. They were 

 some twenty-five in number, and were men enormously tall in stature, and immense in weight 

 of flesh. Their scant costume, which was merely a colored cloth about the loins, adorned with 

 fringes and emblazoned witli the armorial bearings of the jjrince to whom each belonged, 

 revealed their gigantic proportions in all the bloated fulness of fat and breadth of muscle. Their 



Some also said that charcoal was always included. Why these should have been selected, or what they particularly 

 symbolize, he did not learn. The charcoal was not omitted in the gifts on this occasion, and four small dogs of a rare breed 

 were sent to the President, as part of the Emperor's gift. We hare observed also in the public prints that two were put on 

 board of Admiral Stirling's ship for her Majesty of England. The fact that dogs are always part of a royal Japanese present 

 suggested to the Commodore the thought that possibly one species of spaniel now in England may be traced to a Japanese 

 origin. In 1613, when Captain Saris returned from Japan to England, he carried to the Kinw a letter from the Emperor, and 

 presents in return for those which had been sent to him by his Majesty of England. Dogs probably formed part of the gifts, 

 and thus may have been introduced into the Kingdom the Japanese breed. At any rate, there is a species of spaniel in England 

 which it is hard to distinguish from the Japanese dog. The species sent as a present by the Emperor is by no means common 

 even in Japan. It is never seen running about the streets, or following its master in his walks, and the Commodore under- 

 stood that they were costly. 



* List of the articles received from the Japanese government, March 24, 1854 : 



1st. For the government of the United States of America, 

 from the Emperor — 



1 gold lacquered writing apparatus. 



1 gold lacquered paper bo.t. 



1 gold lacquered book-case. 



1 lacquered writing table. 



1 censer of bronze, (cow-shape,) supporting silver 



flower and stand. 

 1 set waiters. 



1 flower holder and stand. 



2 brasiers. 



10 pieces fine red pongee. 

 10 pieces white pongee. 



5 pieces flowered crape. 



5 pieces red dyed figured crape. 

 2d. From Hayashi, 1st commissioner — 



1 lacquered writing apparatus. 



1 lacquered paper box. 



1 box of paper. 



1 box flowered note paper. 



5 boxes stamped note and letter paper. 



4 boxes assorted sea-shells, 100 in each. 



1 box of branch coral and feather in silver. 



1 lacquered chow-chow box. 



1 box, set of three, lacquered goblets. 



7 boxes cups and spoons and goblet cut from 



conch shells. 

 3d. From Ido, 2d commissioner — 



2 boxes lacquered waiters, 4 in all. 

 2 boxes, containmg 20 umbrellas. 



1 box 30 coir brooms. 

 4th. From Izawa, 3d commissioner — 

 1 piece red pongee. 

 1 piece white pongee. 



8 boxes, 13 dolls. 



1 box bamboo woven articles. 



2 boxes bamboo stands. 



47 J 



5th. From Udono, 4th commissioner — 

 3 pieces striped crape. 



2 boxes porcelain cups. 

 1 box, 10 jars of soy. 



6th. From Matsusaki, 5th commissioner — 



3 boxes porcelain goblets. 

 1 box figured matting. 



35 bundles oak charcoal. 

 7th. From Abe, 1st Imperial councillor — 



14 pieces striped-figured silk, (taffeta.) 

 8th — 12th. From each of other 5 Imperial councillors — • 



10 pieces striped-figured silk, (taffeta.) 

 13th From Emperor to Commodore Perry — 

 1 lacquered writing apparatus. 



1 lacquered paper box. 

 3 pieces red pongee. 



2 pieces white pongee. 



2 pieces flowered crape. 



3 pieces figured dyed crape. 



14th. From commissioners to Capt. H. A. Adams — 

 3 pieces plain red pongee. 

 2 pieces dyed figured crape. 

 20 sets lacquered cups and covers. 

 15th — 17th. From commissioners to Mr. Perry, Mr. Port- 

 man, and Mr. S. W. Williams, each — 

 2 pieces red pongee. 

 2 pieces dyed figured crape. 

 10 sets lacquered cups and covers. 

 18th — 22d. From commissioners to Mr. Gay,'Mr. Danby, 

 Mr. Draper, Dr. Morrow, and Mr. J. P. Williams— 

 1 piece red dyed figured crape. 

 10 sets lacquered cups and covers, 

 23d. From Emperor to the squadron — 



200 bundles of rice, each 5 Japanese pecks. 

 300 chickens. 



