Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 413

Wheeler, Dr. E.-97, Bluff

Whitfield

YOKOHAMA-TOKIO.

& Dowson, engineers,

Yokohama Iron Works-69

George Whitfield

Jules P. Darbier

Chas. H. Dallas

H. A. Towse

W. Mann

J. Deniaud

Wilkin & Robison, merchants-3

Alfred John Wilkin

Richard Durant Kobison

B. Gillet

John Leckie

W. J. S. Shand

J. T. Esdale

Wylde, W., gunsmith-123

&c., Yokohama Furniture Repository-73

387

Yokohama Aerated Water Manufactory-88

H. Harding

Yokohama Medical Hall & Dispensary-61

J. North (absent)

J. Rae

A. T. Watson

M. Fitzgerald

Ziegler & Co., merchants-47

Chas. Ziegler

J. R. Merian

M. E. Van Delden

•

TOKIO.

The capital of Japan [until the Restoration called Yedo] is situated at the north of the Bav of Yedo, bas a circumference of 24 miles, and covers a surface of nearly 36 square miles. The Okawa, or Great River, divides the city into two parts: the eastern part is called Horjo; the western division bears more especially the name of Tokio.

a

Tokio, as viewed from the bay, is a very charming city. Situated on undulating ground, and covered with fine old trees, it spreads out under a sky which has well been compared to the sky of Italy. The many large temples with their great roofs, surmounted by gilled globes, and covered with metalled plates, produce a pleasing effect. The pagodas, the large daimio palaces, the long line of well- constructed quays, and the fortifications combined present an imposing coup-d'œil. Some of the enchantment which distance lends, however, vanishes on ch ser acquaintance. The temples disappear behind the trees with which they are surrounded; the palaces resemble scarcely anything better than large fire-proof war hou es or inediocre villas; and the dwellings of the merchants and other citizens, though extremely clean, are not imposing. There are some handsome shops, but no stately buildings, s'atues, or monuments. The streets and quarters belonging to the nobles are almost deserted; the commercial quarter, though bustling and animated, looks neither rich nor attractive. Though not repelling, Tokio does not deserve the reputation for splendour and magnificence which has been given to it by some writers.

It is an island, the boundaries

Honjo covers a surface of about five square miles. of which are: South, the Bay of Yedo; W st, the Okawa; North, a large canal; and East, a river running parallel with the Okawa. This island is traversed from north to south by four canals, and from east to west by three large and a great number of small canals. They cross each other at right angles, and divide Honjo into eight principal districts. The districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 contain in their northern part more than thirty temples, a'l surrounded by cxtcusive gardens. Westward, along the banks of the Okawa, are several large store-houses, which belong to the Government; and on the banks of the canals are tound the habitations of the merchants, workmen, and fishermen. The largest portion of these four districts, however, is occupied by the palaces of the nobles. Toe districts No. 5 and No. 6 contain almost exclusively residences of nobles, many of which have now been con-