Geography anatomiz'd, or, The compleat geographical grammar being a short and exact analysis of the whole body of modern geography after a new and curious method / collected from the best authors and illustrated with divers maps by Pat. Gordon ...

§. 1. The Japan Islands.

THESE Islands (thought by some to be the Ja∣badii of the Ancients) are term'd by the Italians, * 1.1 Giapone; by the Spaniards, Islas del Japon; by the French, les Isles du Japon; by the Germans, die Japanische Insuln; and by the English, The Japan Islands; but why so call'd, I find no satisfactory Account among Criticks.

The Air of these Islands doth much encline to Cold, but is generally esteem'd very wholesome to breath * 1.2 in. The opposite Place of the Globe to Japan, is that part of the Paragueyan Ocean, lying between 340 and 350 De∣grees of Longitude, with 30 and 40 Degrees of Southern Lati∣tude.

The Soil of these Islands is reckon'd abundantly fer∣til in Grain, Roots, and divers sorts of pleasant Fruits; * 1.3 as also the Ground (though much overspread with Forests, and incumbered with vast Mountains) is very fit for Pa∣sturage, and well stockt with multitudes of Cattle. The length of the Days and Nights in these Islands, is much the same as in the middle Provinces of China, they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude.

The chief Commodities of these Islands are Gold, Silver, Elephants Teeth, Rice, and most sorts of * 1.4 Minerals.

There is in Japan (according to the Testimony of Varenius) a very remarkable Fountain, whose Water * 1.5 is almost equally hot with boiling Oyl; it breaks forth only twice a Day for the space of one Hour, during which time, the Eruption is so violent, that nothing can withstand the strength of its Current; for with such a mighty force doth the Water burst out, that 'tis said to raise up, and throw away the greatest Stone they can lay over the Mouth of the Fountain, and that with such a noise, that it frequently resembles the Report of a great Gun: (2.) In the same Island is a prodigious high Mountain, generally suppos'd to equal (and by some to surpass) the famous Pike of Te∣nerife, being visible almost forty Leagues off at Sea, though eigh∣teen distant from the Shore. (3.) In this Cluster of Islands are commonly reckon'd no less than eight different Vulcano's, whereof some are very terrible. Here also is great variety of Medicinal Waters, and many hot Springs, besides that most remarkable one abovemention'd. (4.) In the City of Meaco is a mighty Colossus of gilded Coper, to which People pay their Devotions. Of such a

prodigious bigness is that Pagod, that being set in a Chair, (which is eighty Foot broad, and seventy high) no less than fifteen Men may conveniently stand on his Head. His Thumb is said to be fourteen Inches about, and proportionable to it is the rest of his Body. In this City are reckon'd about seventy Heathen Tem∣ples, and one of 'em is said to be furnisht with no fewer than 3333 gilded Idols.

Archbishopricks, Bishopricks, Universities. None. * 1.6

The Japanners (being People of an Olive-colour'd Complexion) are generally of a tall Stature, strong * 1.7 Constitution, and sit to be Soldiers. They're said to have vast Memories, nimble Fancies, and solid Judgments. They are abundantly Fair, and Just in their Dealings, but naturally Am∣bitious, Cruel, and Disdainful to all Strangers, especially those of the Christian Religion; admitting none such to Traffick with 'em, save only the Dutch, who (to monopolize an advantagious Trade) are so complaisant to those Pagan People, as to suspend the very Profession of Christianity during their abode among them.

The Japonese Tongue is said to be very Polite and Co∣pious, * 1.8 abounding with many Synonimous Words, which are commonly us'd according to the Nature of the Subject; as also the Quality, Age, and Sex, both of the Speaker, and the Person to whom the Discourse is directed.

These Islands are Govern'd by several Petty Kings and Princes, (or Tanes) who are all subject to one * 1.9 Sovereign, still'd The Emperor of Japan. His Govern∣ment is altogether Despotical, and his Subjects adore him as a God, never daring to look him in the Face, and when they speak off him, they turn their Countenances down to the Earth. Peculiar to the Emperors of Japan, is the following Custom, viz. that they esteem it a kind of Sacriledge to suffer either Hair or Nails to be cut after Coronation.

The Emperor of Japan (according to the Relation of the Ambassadors of the Dutch East-India Company) * 1.10 beats Or, six Stars Argent, in an Oval Shield, and hor∣dered with little points of Gold. But according to others, his Arms are Sables, with three Tresoils Argent.

The Japanners are gross Idolaters, having a multi∣tude of Idols, to whose particular Service great num∣bers * 1.11 both of Men and Women do consecrate them∣selves. The chief of those Idols are call'd by the Names of Amida and Foqueux. The Votaries of the former are said to assert the Soul's Immortality, and the Pythagorean Metempsychosis; and those

of the latter imagine, That the frequent Repetition of certain Words will attone for all their misdoings, and procure to 'em the enjoyment of compleat Felicity at last. Great was the multitude of Converts to Christianity once in these Islands, if we might safely credit the Testimony of our Roman Missionaries, who, Anno 1596. reckon'd no less than 600000 of the Natives, then actually profes∣sing the Christian Religion. But how many soe're were really brought over to the Knowledge of the Truth; most certain it is, that they quickly Apostatiz'd from the same; and that no Person dares openly avow the Doctrine of Christ since the Year 1614. all Europeans, (save the Dutch) and others, professing Christianity, being then expell'd those Islands, and not like to have any more Access there for the future.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Name.
• * 1.2

  Air.
• * 1.3

  Soil.
• * 1.4

  Commodities.
• * 1.5

  Rarities.
• * 1.6

  Archbishopricks, &c.
• * 1.7

  Manners.
• * 1.8

  Language.
• * 1.9

  Government.
• * 1.10

  Arms.
• * 1.11

  Religion.