456 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



buildings were very inferior to the execution of the details of construction. The former were 

 uniform, and prohahly in accordance with the ancient models, and showed a constraint of inven- 

 tive power within rules doubtless prescribed by government, while the latter evinced that 

 perfection of finish which belongs alone to progressive experience. As in the carpentry, so in 

 the masonry, there was no freedom nor boldness of conception^ but the most complete execution. 

 Their stone was well cut, and their walls strongly and regularly built, generally in the massive 

 Cyclopean style. 



The coopers were found to be very expert at Hakodadi, where a large number of barrels was 

 constantly in the process of manufacture for packing the dried and salted fish. The barrels are 

 firkin-shaped, bulging at the top, and are rapidly and skilfully hooped with plaited bamboo. 

 There are many workers in metal for ornamental and useful purposes. The Japanese under- 

 stand well the carbonizing of iron, and the temper of much of their steel is good, as was proved 

 by the polish and sharpness of their sword blades. The cutlery, however, in common use at 



Blacksmith's Shop. 



Hakodadi was of an inferior kind, and the barber of one of the ships pronounced a razor, 

 purchased in the town, as abominably bad, neither cutting nor capable of being made to cut. 

 The blacksmiths are numerous and busy in the town, but their work is of a small kind, as they 

 do not use the base metals in large masses, but chiefly as parts of various implements and 

 articles, of which wood forms the larger portion. 



Their bellows are peculiar^ being a wooden box with air chambers, containing valves and 



