The Ainos of Yezo are thought to represent the indigenous race, early driven n

by invaders from the s.w.. who occupied Kioto and neighboring provinces. The present inhabitants are related both to the Malays and the Chinese. According to tradition, the first Emperor (Mikado) arose 600 B.C. He dwelt at Kioto. All warlike operations were directed by him, or by an imperial prince. The military and agricultural cla es were separated 770-780. Rival clans now ruled. That of Minamoto was for a time supreme: its seat was Kamakura in e. Japan. In 1192 Yoritomo, a member of this family, was made Shogun, or generali imo. Each succeeding Shogun was thus nominated and invested by the Emperor, whom his power soon overshadowed, but who was always regarded with superstitious reverence. 1219-1333 the Hôjo family acted as regents of the Shoguns. Civil wars raged during the 14th and 15th centuries. Kamakura was destroyed 1333. Christianity was introduced by Xavier 1549. The Tokugawa dynasty of Shoguns began 1593 with the investiture of Iyeyasu, and ended 1868. After a great battle, the whole country submitted to Iyeyasu; Jedo became the seat of government, and grew in prosperity and population. A sort of feudal system was introduced. The daimios, or large landed proprietors, resided most of the year on their estates, but their families were retained as hostages at Jedo. The Mi kado's court at Kioto was poor and mean in comparison with that of the Shogun, though the ancient nobility who gathered there were superior in rank and prestige. Peace now reigned for more than 250 years. The population was divided into the Street Scene in Tokio. pelled 1281. The Portuguese visited J. 1542; commercial relations with them continued till 1639. From 1610 the Dutch had almost a monopoly of Japanese trade, but were confined to their factory at Nagasaki. In 1854 Commodore Perry entered the harbor with an American fleet and obtained a commercial treaty from the Shogun, the first of a series of treaties with various nations, which have opened J. to the world. Since then changes, political, educational, and religious, have been rapid, and J. seen is destined to take a permanent place among civilized nations. Ru ia has however secured great influence in Corea and J. may eventually lose Formosa and any permanent advantage. The war with China, 1895, resulted in the conquest of Corea, the complete overthrow of the Chinese navy, and the annexation of Formosa to the Japanese Empire. Pop., 1891, 40,718,677. IMG:content-0850.png:[merged small][merged small][graphic][graphic][merged small][merged small] Its themes are drawn directly from nature, the selection being influenced by poetry and tradition; from native and Chinese history, and above all from Buddhism, whose priesthood contributed many of the most famous artists of the past. The range of the art products of Japan is extremely varied, in painting, sculpture, pottery, and metal work. These have all attained a perfection unequaled in many respects by any other nation in ancient or modern times.