3-016-809 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scenes in Japan: the Governor of Kanagawa and suite going to a fire - by our special artist, 1864. Engraving from '...a Sketch by Mr. Wirgman, our Special Artist and Correspondent in Japan, which depicts rather an amusing scene. The Governor of Kanagawa, a suburb of Jeddo, has been summoned from his otium cum dignitate by the accident of a house on fire between that place and Yokohama, the foreigners' town, which is only a few miles distant. We see him riding forth in great state, and at a very leisurely pace, with a servant before him, holding up the banner of his official rank, and another servant behind him, wielding a sort of trident, which is not likely to be used for any such practical purpose as that of helping to extinguish the fire. On the right hand and on the left, wherever this Japanese magnate passes, the people crouch before him, as is shown in the Engraving. Several of his retainers, on horseback, bring up the rear'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.