Nagasaki newspapers, 1861 & 1870-1872

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

    Dejima Island (no longer an island) at Nagasaki was Japan's only entry to the West for many years.  It started about 1570 with the Portguese, but they were kicked out.  This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Dutch at Dejima (from 1600).
    I went through the earliest English language newspapers published at Nagasaki--the NAGASAKI SHIPPING LIST AND ADVERTISER (July-October 1861), the JAPAN HERALD (November 1861-January 1862), and the NAGASAKI EXPRESS (1870-1872).  I haven't yet checked the OED.

28 August 1861, NAGASAKI SHIPPING LIST AND ADVERTISER, pg. 53, col. 5--In the interval of time between the original drafting and the final signing of Mr. Harris's treaty (See John Wayne in THE BARBARIAN AND THE GEISHA, or DON'T see it--ed.), during which the formal assent of the Mikado (OED?--ed.) and the great Daimios was procured to the official act of the Tycoon (OED?--ed.), the powerful Prince of Kanga is reported to have advocated strong measures of resistance against foreign encroachments...

12 February 1870, NAGASKI EXPRESS, pg. 19, col. 2--Interpreter says he is "velly solly" (Slang?--ed.) and will bring him in the morning.

26 February 1870, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 27, col. 2--O. Kay.  (Mr. O. Kay was in the Nagasaki Amateur Dramatic Corps.  "OK" is very popular in Japan--ed.)

7 May 1870, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 66, col. 3--Turkish Bath.

9 July 1870, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 103, col. 1--("A Tragical Tale of the Tropics," taken from a Californian paper, mentions Jean Jacque Knyfe, Kitty Bo Peep, and a Ginkgo Tree--ed.)

21 January 1871, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 214, col. 2--...nocturnal peripatetic vendors of hot soup and hot saki, et hoc genus omne.

25 February 1871, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 231, col. 2--...many a cup of hot sake has been pledged by the revellers.  (Col. 3--ed.) Friendly visiting, leaving cards, and "peacocking," receiving and entertaining guests...

29 April 1871, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 270, col. 2--...the day selected was unfortunately favored with anything but "Queens weather."

19 August 1871, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 334, col. 1--...they should adopt the useful and remunerative life of samsie girls, or musical prostitutes...

3 February 1872, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, supplement to pg. 432, col. 2 (From HIOGO NEWS of Jan. 20)--We have often reflected on the extreme unhealthiness of the national hibachi.

23 November 1872, NAGASAKI EXPRESS, pg. 598, col. 3--A private company has been established amongst the natives at this port, for the purpose of engaging in business as carriers.  Their intention is to have a description of vehicle somewhere, resembling the jin-rik-shas, but sufficiently strong to enable goods to be carried on them.  In addition to these, they will run jin-rik-shas for the conveyance of passengers.

--------------------------------------------------------
MISC.

NAGASAKI NOODLES--There were also Soboro, Nikusara, and Chamen on the menu last night.

SULPHER FLOWERS--I went to the Unzen Jigoku (hell--hot spring).  A GUIDE has:
SINTER (SULFER FLOWERS)--The Unzen Jigoku (which means Hell) area is notable throughout for the white to light yellow "sulpher flowers" that mark it.  These "bloom" wherever the gas has found outlets  The gas, heat and acidic water all interact to form these deposits that look like white clay flowers.

PRAYING HAND HOUSES--At the Hida Folk Village(near Takayama) I saw the gassho-zukuri or praying hand houses, so-called because of the steep pitch of the roofs reminiscent of two clasped hands in prayer.