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both oil and refuse sent to Hakodate. In the winter the Ainos hunted the bears for their skins.
The climate of Itorup is described as being not very severe in the early part of the winter. In February, however, the sea freezes for fifty or sixty ri and remains frozen until May. Snow falls along the sea-shore to a depth of five or six feet, and in the mountains to a depth of thirty feet or more; and the ground freezes to such a depth that it requires weeks of warm weather to thaw it. It is not till the end of July that all traces of frost disappear.
There were two Japanese settlements in Itorup. The chief one was at Shana where the garrison was stationed. A building had been erected at great expense for the officials from Yedo and their troops, which is described by the sake-brewer as exactly like a Daimio’s Castle. It was surrounded by a stone wall, no doubt an uncommon sight in those parts. There was a minor establishment at a place called Naiho.
It was at Naiho that the Russian ships first made their appearance. The Japanese account states that about 200 men landed, fired muskets and great guns, broke into the guard house and carried off clothes and other valuables, setting fire to the settlement before returning to their ships. They also carried off with them five Japanese whom they had taken prisoners. The remaining inhabitants fled to Shana, where the Russians made their appearance a short time after.
The two principal officers of Shana were absent, and the duty of defending the settlement fell upon a subordinate named Toda Matadayu. He had at his disposal a force of over 200 men armed chiefly with matchlocks, and the Castle was defended by a few small cannon, posted however in such a position that they could be fired in one direction only.
Notwithstanding the advice of his colleagues who reminded him of the behaviour of the Russians at Naiho a few days before, Toda resolved to try to open negotiations with them. He sent the chief interpreter of the settlement with 4 or 5 other Japanese and a number of Ainos
