On the sixth and seventh months, muskmelon.
In hot weather, in summer, anything he thinks may please.
On the sixth day of the ninth month, one obang (a large gold coin, worth above £6) or more.
During the ninth and tenth months, persimmons—the best come from Mino.
During the eleventh month, tea, cakes, fish, saki and Owarri radishes, which are very large and fine.
During the twelfth month, fish, persimmons, storks, which are supposed to be a royal bird, and only for the table of the Shiogoon; but many people eat them.
A present from an inferior to a superior, as from a Daimio to the Shiogoon, is “Kenjio”; the reverse is “Hyrio.” The Shiogoon is said to have called in proclamation the steamer “Emperor,” presented to him by her majesty the Queen of England, “Kenjio.”
The Shiogoon has also four secretaries for private business, and others for government business.
There are professors or teachers of the works and writings of Confucius. There is a school or college for the study of foreign books; but the school was lately entirely remodeled, and greater encouragement given to the study of foreign languages, books, and arts and sciences.
There is an observatory, with astronomers, compilers of the almanac, etc.