50 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



and forms an article of commerce. Large salt flats are found along tlie Bay of Napha, which 

 produces occasionally considerahle quantities, though of an inferior quality. Painting and 

 sculpture have received hut little attention ; the former appears to he less understood than the 

 latter, and it is very rare to find any paintings. Specimens of sculpture are seen ahout the 

 tombs and temples, and now and then images of their gods ; hut they are all rude and without 

 finish. Architecture is rather more advanced, as is seen hy the old castles and the arched 

 hridges found in different parts of the island. The bridges thrown over the creeks are all built 

 of stone, and have one arch, and they are built upon correct principles. The walls of the castles 

 and fortifications are really worthy of notice; for they are almost Hercxilean when the means 

 are considered hy which they were built. The old castle of Nagagusko is surrounded by a wall 

 nearly a quarter of a mile square, from twenty to fifty feet high, and from ten to twenty feet in 

 thickness. The stones used in its construction are sometimes large enough to weigh at least a 

 ton, and must have required some more powerful means to elevate them than can at this time be 

 discovered. The archways through them present a grand appearance, and show much skill in 

 their construction. The houses are all built of wood, and generally covered with tiles; all 

 around them are verandahs, and these are closed by means of blinds constructed of bamboo 

 lattice. The floors are covered with handsome thick mats, upon which the natives sit in their 

 peculiar style. The only other furniture in the rooms are some stools, sometimes a table, and 

 tea-pots and cups. The houses of the poor are built of bamboo, without floors or any other 

 comforts. In the cities, every house is surrounded by a stone wall or bamboo hedge. The 

 highways are excellent, paved with flat stones or macadamized, and extend all over the 

 island. Every twelve miles has a rest-house, or kung-qua, for the accommodation of travellers. 

 They are neater than most private houses, and always have several relays of chair-coolies. 



They have no arms or ammunition that we have seen ; not even spears nor bows and arrows. 

 The fortifications show no indications of having been built for the arts of modern warfare. We 

 know that wars have been carried on amongst them in times past ; but what the weapons of 

 destruction were, is unknown. 



This ends the second part of my report, and I have to regret that it could not have been made 

 more concise ; but, from the large amount of material which required notice, I found it impos- 

 sible to do justice to the subject in fewer pages. 



"Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



CHAS. F. FAHS, 

 Assistant Surgeon U. 8. Navy. 



Commodore M. C. Perry, 



Commanding TJ. S. naval forces, East India, China, and Japan seas. 



