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FOREIGN TRADE. 466
During the last few years the Japanese importers have been introducing large
qua ities of cotton yarns, which are employed in the families in the production of
>ncs of a more substantial character, as well as more in accordance with the
national taste than the slop goods from the Massachusetts and Lancashire mills.
n certain inland districts every house has its loom, which is worked by the women
while the men are engaged in tillage or gardening. Large spinning mills and
prmted calico and cloth factories have also been recently established, in order to
emancipate Japan from the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by the English manufac-
Fig. 213. PORTS OPEN TO FOREIGN TRADE.
Scale 1 : 12,000,000.
. 300 Miles.
turers of such goods. For the same purpose of becoming commercially independent
of Europe, the Japanese are also engaged in developing the glass and clock
industries and in the production of lucifer matches. There is scarcely a single
European article that they are unable to imitate, and the Ohosaka craftsmen are
now producing fire-proof safes, perfect in all respects down even to the very names
of the more famous European patentees. A Japanese house has already opened a
branc-h in Milan, in order to supply the Italians directly with silkworms' eggs, thus
depriving foreign brokers of their commissions. England has even received cargoes
of bricks consigned from Japan.