Bayard Taylor was a member of the famous Commodore Perry Expedition of 1854, and in this book he recorded some of his observations of Japan that were previously closed-off to the Western audience.
From the preface:
THE rapid change in the policy of the Japanese
Government, which is now opening the Empire
to the arts and ideas of modern civilization, has been
followed by a corresponding increase in our knowl-
edge of the Japanese institutions and people. The
compiler’s object has been to select all that is newest
and most interesting in the works of recent visitors
to Japan, in order to make this volume a tolerably
complete gallery of pictures, representing the life
and customs of the Japanese at this time. Many
strange and peculiar features of that life will very
soon pass away, and already some of the experiences
related by Sir Rutherford Alcock and M. Humbert
could not be repeated. It is believed, therefore, that
the information contained in this volume will be
found not only attractive in itself, but convenient as
a standard by which to measure the great changes
which science and the mechanic arts will effect in
the condition of the Japanese Empire.
