3-011-545 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scenes in Japan: the Strait of Simonosaki, 1864. 'The western entrance [to the Inland Sea], by the channel of Simonosaki, is at the narrowest part only a quarter of a mile broad. The scenery of its shores is varied and picturesque - the luxuriant vegetation reaching the water's edge around the base of the hills shown in our first Engraving. To the right is observed a very dangerous rock, situated in mid-channel; it is, however, well marked by a stone pillar. There is a tradition about this rock that in the early days of Japanese history, one of the Emperors having been murdered and his throne seized by the usurper, the infant heir of the rightful Sovereign was saved by a nurse; and she, in making her escape across the strait, was wrecked, but fortunately succeeded in reaching this rock, whence they were eventually rescued by some fishermen, and in due course the son recovered his father's throne. How far this tradition is really correct is, we believe, very doubtful. It may be remarked that the current runs very swiftly through this channel, and is of great assistance to the numberless junks which pass that way'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.