_i_ in the middle of a word and _u_ in the middle or at the end of a word are sometimes almost inaudible. The consonants are all sounded, as in English: _g_, however, has only the hard sound, as in _give_, although the nasal _ng_ is often heard; _ch_ and _s_ are always soft, as in _check_ and _sin_; and _z_ before _u_ has the sound of _dz_. In the case of double consonants, each one must be given its full sound. There are as many syllables as vowels. There is practically no accent; but care must be taken to distinguish between _o_ and _ō_, _u_ and _ū_, of which the second is more prolonged than the first. Be sure to avoid the flat sound of _a_, which is always pronounced _ah_. [Illustration: _The Japanese islands are studded by lofty volcanic mountains, especially Nipon, which is traversed through its whole length by a chain which forms the water shed of the island and the highest peaks of which are covered with perpetual snow. There are seven active volcanoes, three in Kiusiu and four in Nipon, besides four other mountains sending out hot springs; along the coast there are several burning islands, the rivers are numerous but short. The empire includes eight great subdivisions, called Do, or Ways, viz.: 1. Saikaidō, west sea way, nine provinces; 2. Nankaido, south sea way, six provinces; 3. Sanyodo, south mountain way, eight provinces; 4. Sanindo, north mountain way, eight provinces; 5. Gokinaido, five provinces, imperial domain; 6. Tōkaidō, east sea way, fifteen provinces; 7. Tosando, east mountain way, eight provinces; 8. Hokurokudo, way of the north districts, seven provinces. Tsu, Iki and Jezo are not included in this arrangement._ _NOTE_ _In the pronunciation of Japanese names and words, and in their representation in European letters, an n is frequently added at the end of a syllable; as, Nangasaki for Nagasaki, Fingo for Figo, etc._ SKETCH MAP OF OLD JAPAN Adapted from map in original edition of Hildreth] JAPAN AS IT WAS AND IS CHAPTER I _Earliest European Knowledge of Japan—Japanese Histories—Marco Polo’s Account of the Mongol or Tartar Invasion—Accounts of the same Event given by the Chinese and Japanese Annalists, A. D. 1281 or 1283._ The name JAPAN, pronounced in the country itself _Nippon_ or _Nihon_, is of Chinese origin—in the Mandarin dialect _Jih-pun_, that is, sun-source, or Eastern Country.