[ 14 Japan and the Japanese, 
weights and measures was introduce.d, various professions 
encouraged, such as those of architecture and medicine, the 
first school in Japan was established, fortifications were 
built, and a system of signals around the coast introduced. 
An empress reigned in the sixth century, and, during her 
rule, tiled roofs instead of thatched ones were used, 
almanacs were made, and professorships in the public 
schools established. 
In 1 142, a new power arose in Japan. The emperor, 
being too sacred a personage to be seen by his subjects at 
large, or to mingle with matters which affected the condition 
of the people, became almost powerless to stay the tide of 
civil war which devastated the nation. One of the bravest 
officers of the army was therefore created chief ruler, or 
magistrate, under the title of Tycoon, He became ruler in 
temporal matters, while the Mikado continued to be the 
spiritual emperor, and high-priest of the people. In course 
of time, the Tycoon's power overshadowed and threat- 
ened the Mikado's, and after frequent warfare between the 
two powers, a revolution occurred in 1868, which ended 
in re-estabUshing the total power and government in the 
Mikado. This Mikado is the present emperor of Japan. 
When he ascended the throne, he was only a youth of 
seventeen, but he soon proved that he possessed very 
uncommon power of mind and determination of character. 
The office of Tycoon had existed for six hundred and 
seventy-six years, but it was abolished, and the emperor 
came out of the old traditional seclusion of his race, to 
assume the control of his kingdom. The Daimios, or pro- 
vincial magistrates, were stripped of their almost feudal 
powers, and taught that they must render a full account of 
their dealings with the people, to the head of the Govern- 
ment. At the same time the Japanese people received 
