Chap. X. 
ISLANDS IN THE SEA. 
157 
tween the two shores — that is, between the islands 
of Nipon and Sikok — is about thirty miles. Our 
course lay nearer the eastern than the western side 
of the passage. In the afternoon we came to a 
group of islands, through which we sailed until the 
evening. Some of these are remarkable for their 
peculiar forms. One named Ya-sima had a rocky 
summit, giving it the appearance of a huge camel 
kneeling to receive its load. Viewed from a dif- 
ferent point, it looked like the ruins of an 
ancient castle. Another, called the Che-se-Fusi, 
or Little Fusiyama, was a remarkable representa- 
tion, although in miniature, of its snow-capped 
namesake. Both these islands will no doubt prove 
valuable landmarks to mariners in this sea, as 
they have probably been for ages past to the 
Japanese. 
The scenery in this part of the sea was quite 
a panorama — ever shifting as we sailed onwards. 
Now we opened up a beautiful hay, with a fishing 
village on its shores, and terraced cultivation 
extending a short way up the side of the hills. 
Losing sight of this, other islands, bays, and 
coves came constantly into view to charm and de- 
light the eye. In one flat valley on our left we 
had a good view of a town of considerable size, in 
which a Daimio of great power resided and reigned 
supreme. His castle appeared to be strongly forti- 
fied, and had numerous watch-towers on its walls. 
These castles are apparently numerous in all parts 
of the empire, for many of them were seen on the 
