Scenes in Japan: the town and harbour of Simonosaki, 1864. A large number of junks of all sizes stop at this town to obtain water and other necessaries, on their way through the Inland Sea. It is situated in a very commanding position for the purposes of trade, and might become a flourishing seaport if opened to foreign commerce. Junks of the largest size and of the most grotesque build are here to be met with. They are all more or less ornamented with copper devices on their sterns; but they have, in general, a very clumsy appearance, and their sailing qualities, as may be imagined, are not very good. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.