1690.

for all they have so many Instances, of how fatal and dangerous a consequence it is to eat it. Soldiers only and military men, are by special command of the Emperor forbid to buy and to eat this fish. If any one dies of it,

鮫

Fuka same

FIG. 45. Fukasame, the fish of whose skin they make the

shagrin-cases.

his son forfeits the succession to his father's post, which otherwise he would have been entitled to. It is sold much dearer than common Fish, and not eat, but when

fresh. The third sort is call'd Kitamakura, which signifies North Cushion. I could not learn the reason of this Appellation. The same Name is given to a Person that sleeps with his head turn'd to the North. The poison of

鲞

Su sumo ino.
Sajori.

1690.

FIG. 46. Susumoiwo, a needle fish.

this sort is absolutely mortal, no washing nor cleaning will take it off. It is therefore never ask'd for, but by those who intend to make away with themselves.

The Sea Horse, or Sea Dog, and, as the Germans call Sea-Horse. him Wasserbauch, is a very singular fish, much about the

1690.

length of a Boy of ten years of age, without either scales or fins, with a large Head, mouth and breast, a large thin belly like a bag, which will hold a large quantity of water. He hath thin sharp teeth in the chops much like a snake.

鰻

Oo unagi.

000

FIG. 47. Oounagi, a sort of Eels much larger than the common. The inner parts are so minute, that they are scarce visible. He hath two flat cartilaginous feet with fingers, not unlike the hands of a child, under the belly, by the means of which, he creeps, in all likelyhood or walks at the bottom of the Sea. All his parts are eat, none excepted. He is

caught frequently in the Gulf of Jedo, between Kamakura and that Capital, where I saw him brought to market.

Tai, is what the Dutch in the Indies call Steenbrassem. Tai. This is very much esteem'd by the Japanese as the King

鱓

Jaat me Unagi.

1690.

FIG. 48. Jaatzme Unagi, an Eel with eight eyes.

of Fish, and a peculiar Emblem of happiness, partly because he is sacred to their Jebis, or Neptune, partly by reason of a beautiful variety of shining colours, which appear on him when under Water. It is a very scarce Fish, not unlike a Carp, and finely variegated with red

J. I

225

P

1690.

and white. The Female hath some red spots. It is so scarce, that upon some great entertainment at Court, or other extraordinary occasions, it is not to be had under a thousand Cobangs. Another sort of this Fish is call'd

KA

Dodajoo

FIG. 49. Doodsio, a fish with a very large head in proportion to the body. They are of two different kinds, the one with, the other without a beard.

Kharo Tai. Kharo Tai, or black Steenbrassem, from the colour. This is not near so much esteem'd, and is caught frequently about Saikokf.