302 an "japan. y^pril x^^ 



wind is in the north or north-east. The rains are very 

 frequent, particularly during tl e summer solstice. 

 Description of the person of the natives. 



The Japanese are of a comely personage, strong limbed, 

 with much ease and activity ; of .a yelloTvifn complexion, 

 'n which scmietimes a black colour predominates, some- 

 times a winter. The women, as they do not expose them- 

 selves to the heat of the sun are pretty white. Their eyes 

 arc stretched out and half open, which gives the look a 

 ^i;reat degree of delicacy. The colour of their eyes is ge- 

 nerally black, also, their hair, and eye-brows, which latter 

 are supposed to be placed higher than those of Europeans- 

 Their he^d is large, their neck ftiOrt, their hair thick and 

 ihining with oil, their nose is fhort and pretty large. 

 Character of the nation. 



The Japanese is sensible and prudent, polite towards 

 1:1s equals, obedient, to his superiors, wi'Jiout being slaviih* 

 Their government is far from being despotic, but the law? 

 are very severe. In their families they arc laborious, oeco- 

 7-omical, and sober, being very fond of clean linen; c_ 

 iherwise they are attentive, curious and much addicted to 

 •uperstition. There is much cordiality and sincerity ia 

 their correspondence j but their vanity is very easily hurt ; 

 and wlien thty think them.selves ill used, they are very re- 

 vengeful. They have a great deal of national pride. In war 

 they are brave but untractable •, as to the above Mr Thunberg 

 }.;ives us proofs taken from the history of the country, and 

 manv anecdotes relating to their di^trt;st towards strangers j 

 we know upon what that is founded, and there are few 

 countries whose inhabitants ar; more upon their guard 

 against an inva.sion. In order to prevent all intercourse 

 with strangers, the natives are severely forbid going cut or 

 the kingdom, and when once they arc. out,, they clare never 



