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leads from thence to Tomioka (a distance of 6 ri) where the government has established a model silk-spinning factory, under the direction of a Frenchman, M. Brunat. After Shimmachi the traveller passes an important tributary of the left bank of the Tonegawa, and arrives at Takasaki, the point where he leaves the Nakasendô to reach Kusatsu. Towards the west may be perceived the summit of Asamayama, crowned with smoke and whitish vapours, and from the west to the north and northeast a confused series of high mountains. The boundary of the plains forming the basin of the Tonegawa is now reached.
Takasaki is an important centre, furnishing everything necessary to the inhabitants of the surrounding mountains, and attracting to itself all their trade. The town which is very long, extends itself on both sides of the Nakasendô and contains about 2000 houses.
A large trade is carried on there in cotton goods manufactured in the country, particularly in stockings (tabi). A certain quantity of silk worms is also bred there and it seemed to me that the great number of these were the Yamamai (bombyx of the oak?). The drinking water, which since leaving Yedo has been invariably found good, and of a mean temperature of 15°, is very bad at Takasaki.
The Nakasendô, which we leave at Takasaki, and with which we shall have nothing more to do in this itinerary, seems then practicable for carriages from Yedo up to this point, but although the route may appear good at a dry season of the year, the nature of the ground clearly indicates that this same road would become heavy and often impracticable after continuous rains. The formation on this line, which opens up great commercial centres, of a macadamized road practicable for carriages in all weathers, would greatly advance the prosperity of the country.
The passage of the secondary branch of the Todagawa (Arakawa) after Kumagae, and of the Tonegawa in advance of Shimmachi may offer insurmountable difficulties at present, and can only be secured by the construction of bridges with stone piers strong enough to stand against a sudden rise of the stream.
