Page:TASJ-1-3.djvu/232

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east. To Hiza, 3 ri, where an important annual horse-fair is held in the fifth month of the year. In 1874 2,000 horses were brought there.

To Arabama (2 ri) a considerable fishing village, with a miscellaneous trade. To Kashiwazaki, 2 ri, an important commercial town with a populaton of 12,000. There was a sharp skirmish here in 1868, and many houses still bear marks of the strife.

It is better to go by sea from Kuji tanami (the shipping port of Kashiwazaki) to Imamachi, if the weather be favourable.

On arriving at Imamachi, there is a dangerous bar at the mouth of the river, which can only be crossed when the wind is in any other direction than northerly. In good weather this voyage is pleasant and rapid, and in the distance may be seen the peaks of Tateyama in the province of Echu. The foot of the Yoneyama is passed, a mountain of fair altitude, on the summit of which there is a temple which can be very distinctly seen from the sea. This temple is only frequented or inhabited from the 4th to the 8th month. Near Kujiranami there are some deep caverns in the cliffs, which may be entered by boats. All this coast, from Teradomari to Imamachi, is well populated, commercial, and possesses a good climate. The nights are cool, and the shore well adapted for sea-bathing. The beach is soft and remarkable for the absence of shells. The men are vigorous, tanned by the sun and sea-air, and devoted to fishing. The women are strong and capable of the hardest toil such as is usually undertaken by men. Immamachi is a large town with a population of from 6,000 to 8,000 souls, built on the left bank of a river which conduces to a flourishing trade.

From Imamachi to Tokata 2 ri. Leaving the coast, the road opens towards the south, crossing a vast and fertle valley and leaving to the right in a south-easterly direction three peaks rather remarkable for their form and dimensions, and known as Migokosan, Shuchisan and Yakeyama, the ascent of all which appears difficult.

Takata is a town containing from 30 to 10,000 souls,