Excerpt from Japan: A Sailor's Visit to the Island Empire On my first voyage 'to Japan I became very much interested in the people and country, and while there availed myself Of every opportunity to learn their customs, ceremonies, traditions and legends, from the natives as well as from foreign ers. This information was increased by a few books Obtained relating to the Island Empire. With the intention-oi interesting my family and a few intimate friends, I compiled from my reading, Sightseeing and tales related to me, the following Sketches to which a subsequent voyage enabled me to make some additions, and as they interested many friends I have been advised by them to give my notes to the public. In so doing, no claim is laid to originality aside from what was Observed in my intercourse with the people, and I only claim to have condensed what appeared to be the most noteworthy Of whatever was read or seen in this wonderful land. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.