3-021-645 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Port of Hiogo, in the Tsuwa Nada, Japan, lately opened to British vessels, 1868. Engraving of a sketch Mr. G. R. Lawrenson, Assistant Surgeon, R.N. of H.M. ship Leopard. 'The Tsuwa-Nada, or Inland Sea, lying between the three large islands, Niphon, Sikok [Shikoku], and Kiu-Siu [Kyushu], which make up Japan, is a piece of water nearly 240 miles long from east to west, and varying in width from fifteen to sixty. It is everywhere navigable, and affords good anchorage. The internal trade of Japan is chiefly carried on by thousands of small vessels, which ply to and fro upon this sea between the populous and busy cities on its shores. Of those cities, the most important is Osaca [Osaka]...The port of Hiogo [Hyogo], which forms the approach to Osaca by sea, and is fifteen miles from that city, has just been opened, by order of the Tycoon, to all British and other European vessels, as well as to those of the United States...Amongst the noticeable features of the place are the two forts, resembling martello towers, one at each extremity of the harbour, and the fine spacious causeway, planted with trees, which extends between Hiogo and the neighbouring village'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.