Tokyo
Tokyo, 1 March 1888
MY DEAR PARENTS AND BROTHERS:
Here I am in the capital city of the Japanese Empire, leading again my solitary and vagabond life in Europe. I left Hong Kong on the 22nd of February on the Oceanic and arrived at Yokohama on the 28th after having been very seasick during the voyage. Scarcely have I settled myself in the hotel, after two minutes or less, I received a message of the chargé d’affaires of Spain, requesting me to go to his room. I don’t know how he learned of my recent arrival. He and the secretary received me affectionately and until now they have behaved toward me in a manner that leaves nothing to be desired.
Yokohama is a city inferior to Manila with regard to its external aspect. A portion of it has been ceded to the Europeans, a portion which I believe they call “concession,” according to a traveler. The Japanese, of course, occupy the greater portion of the city in low odd-looking houses, like the little houses or cages of rabbits, very clean, with paper walls, white mats on the floor, lattices, etc., etc. They make no noise; loud voices are not heard; they sit quietly in their stores.
The Japanese women are short, stout, fair and their cheeks are red. Their hair is stiffer and thicker than ours, and I have seen few with good denture. There are some who have big eyes. Some of the men are dressed in European style and they resemble greatly those from Biñan.
Yedo or Tokyo is very big; they say that it is bigger than Paris, it has a million inhabitants. Manila is more beautiful, but this is more imposing because of its somber edifices, of its wide streets, and Cyclopean walls.
Within a few days I will embark for San Francisco.
I kiss affectionately the hand of my parents and an embrace for my brothers and brothers-in-law.
JOSÉ
Send me the copy to London.
02-287 [Blumentritt V.1]