urile
Islands, of which the most northerly belong to Russia, the southern
Kuriles are the first land we encounter subject to Japan. We do not go
ashore here, to be sent to prison like Golownin, for we are content, at
present, to remember that the natives of these islands are the hairiest
among men. We sail on, too polite to outrage Japanese propriety by
landing, even from a Phantom Ship, on the main island; so we sail to
Kiusiu, and run into the bay of Nagasaki. The isles of Japan, calling
rocks islands, are in number three thousand eight hundred and fifty. The
main island, Nippon, is larger than Ireland, and is important enough to
have been justly called the England of the Pacific Ocean.

Only there is a mighty difference between this England, talking about
liberty, or cherishing free trade, and that Dai Nippon; in which not a
soul does as he pleases, and from which the commerce of the whole world
is shut out. Dai (or great) Nippon is the name of the whole state, which
the Chinese modify into Jih-pun, and which we have further altered to
Japan. On Kiusiu, a large southern island, Nagasaki is the only port
into which, on any possible excuse, a foreign vessel is allowed to
enter. This port we are now approaching; the dark rocks of the coast
line are reflected from a brilliant sea; we pass a mountain island,
cultivated to the very summit, terrace above terrace; green hills invite
us to our haven, and blue mountains in the distance tempt us to an
onward journey. There are white houses shining among cedars; there are
pointed temple roofs; boats with their sails up make the water near us
lively; surely we shall like Japan. We enter the bay now, and approach
Nagasaki, between fruitful hills and temple groves, steeps clothed with
evergreen oak, cedars, and laurels, picturesque rocks, attacked by man,
and wheedled out of practicable ground for corn and cabbages. There is
Nagasaki on a hill side, regularly built, every house peeping from its
little nest of greens; and there is the Dutch factory, named Dezima.
Zima in Japanese means "island," for this factory is built upon an
island. No Europeans but the Dutch; no Dutch except these managers of
trade who are locked up in Dezima, may traffic with Japan; and these may
traffic to the extent only of two ships yearly, subject to all manner of
restrictions. As for the resident Dutch, they are locked up in Dezima,
which is an island made on purpose for them. As if three thousand, eight