

JAPAN. 



419 



public roads are being widened, newly metaled 

 and drained, while bridle-paths are being turned 

 into hard roads able to bear wheels. On the 

 22d and 23d of September, 1884, the new 

 honor put upon this branch of public industry 

 was conspicuously shown by public celebra- 

 tions, in Toohigi and Fukushima prefectures, 

 at which cabinet ministers and the Mikado's 

 counselors were present. More 

 miles of railroad were opened 

 during 1884 than in any year of 

 Japan's history. The sections 

 finished and open for traffic 

 were, from Tsuruga to Naka- 

 sendo, eleven miles ; from Se"ki- 

 gahara to Nagahama, twenty- 

 three miles, May 25th ; from 

 TJye'no to Takasaki, sixty-three 

 miles, June 25th. The two first 

 named are owned by Govern- 

 ment, and the latter is the prop- 

 erty of the Nippon Rail way Com- 

 pany. All lie in fertile regions, 

 connecting markets with sea- 

 ports. 



Religion. On the llth of July, 

 Japan took the final step toward 

 that perfect religious toleration 

 which now places her in the 

 front rank of enlightened na- 

 tions. In this respect, this Asi- 

 atic nation is ahead of Russia and some other 

 European nations. Official priesthood was 

 abolished, and all religions, Shinto, Buddhism, 

 and Christianity, are equal before the law. In 

 certain cases where Shinto priests, as govern- 

 mental officers, or as hereditary custodians of 

 shrines, held vested rights, provision was made 



the father of forty - three children, and was 

 born in 1837. Displaying talent at an early 

 age, he was adopted into the family of Hitot- 

 subashi, and at eighteen he was proficient in all 

 belonging to the education of a Japanese gentle- 

 man of high rank. On the 6th of January, 1867, 

 he was made Sho-gun (Tycoon). At the out- 

 break of the civil war in 1868, he fled in the U. 



HAND-IRRIGATION IN JAPAN. 



for commutation of salaries or other income, 

 as is shown in the report on finance. 



On the 6th of March, 1884, Tokuguwa Shi- 

 ge'hide', better known as Hitotsubashi, the last 

 "Tycoon," died at Shidzuoka. He was the 

 seventh son of the Daimio of Mito, who was 



JAPANESE MATTOCKS. 



S. steamship Iroquois to Yedo. He was par- 

 doned by the new government, pensioned, and 

 lived in retirement until his death. With the 

 fall of the old government, Buddhism declined. 

 Agriculture. The unusual distress suffered by 

 the agricultural classes during 1884, owing to 

 high taxes, storms, and dullness of trade, with 

 partial failure of the crops, 

 calls attention to the an- 

 cient methods of farming 

 in vogue. 



Only about one tenth of 

 the entire area of Japan 

 is cultivated, or about 9,- 

 000,000 acres, supporting 

 not quite four persons to 

 an acre. At least three 

 fourths of fertile country 

 lies fallow, awaiting the 

 farmer's plow, improved 

 methods, greater variety 

 of crops, and the rearing 

 of live-stock, in which 

 the country is deficient. 

 American merchants have 

 endeavored to introduce 

 our common agricultural 

 instruments and labor- 

 saving machinery, but 

 thus far, except on model farms conducted 

 under the auspices of the Government, with 

 utter lack of success. It is probable that our 

 tools are not sufficiently adapted to the pecul- 

 iar conditions of the market, and that native 

 prejudices are not sufficiently humored. The 



