Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 6.djvu/186

 nally, being either presents from the great temples and provincial governors, or compulsory contributions from the house of Ouchi. As for the gifts sent by the Chinese Government and the goods shipped in China, they were arbitrarily distributed among the noble families in Japan at prices fixed by the Shōgun's assessors. Thus, so far as the Shōgun was concerned, these enterprises could not fail to be lucrative. They also brought large profits to the Ouchi family, for in the absence of competition the products and manufactures of each country found ready sale in the markets of the other. Incidentally the expenses of a voyage are recorded; namely, £20 to the envoy; £12 to the supercargo; the same to the master; £8 to the interpreter; the same to an appraiser; £4 to the crew, and £56 for other outlays, making a total of £120. Leaving Hyōgō, a ship passed through the Inland Sea, sailed southward along the coast of Hizen, and thence steering for the Goto Islands, reached Ningpo, after a voyage of from forty to fifty days. Departure from Japan was preceded by religious rites at various shrines, and a service of thanksgiving celebrated the sighting of land as the ship approached her destination. The vessels found most suitable were of comparatively small dimensions—about one thousand koku, that is to say, one hundred and seventy tons. From the Chinese these visitors received most liberal treatment. At Ningpo a sumptuous lodging