One of the first things which struck us was a Japanese boat which came alongside, both from her model and the neat way in which she was put together.  Her bows were very sharp, she had great beam, and she tapered slightly towards the stern.  She was built of pine wood, and varnished without any paint.  Her crew, almost naked, stood aft, and sculled her along instead of rowing, at a very great rate.  The official personages she brought off sat in the fore-part; one of them, armed with two swords, a mark of rank, stood in the bows, and made a very good figure-head.  We should probably have had to take our departure without holding any communication with the shore, so anxious were the Japanese government to prevent any communication of the people with foreigners, when Hatchie Katsie made his appearance on deck.  The account he gave his countrymen soon changed the aspect of affairs, and we were told that the governor of the place would no doubt make an exception in our favour.