205
were ferried over, but mostly shallow, there being about ten feet close to the landing place on the left bank. We had some difficulty in crossing, as there was a gale of wind blowing which made the flat-bottomed scow somewhat unmanageable. It has fine solid embankments on either hand, some distance back from its actual banks, in order to allow for a considerable overflow during flood. On the north side the embankment is lined with fine pine and cedar trees.
Half a ri on the north bank of the Abukumangawa is the town of Iwanoma, which from the number of hotels and eating houses seems to be a favourite stopping place for travellers. It is here that the Naka-kaido and the Hama-kaido unite, and thence only one road goes northward to the town of Sendai distant five ri, and continues on through the old provinces of Sendai and Nambu; which is the way all travellers take from Yedo to Awomori and Hakodadi, and before the introduction of steamers was much used. That portion of the Kaido between Nakamura and the Abukuniangawr is a poor and badly kept road, nothing in comparison to the fine road south of that place, on most part of which, if the bridges were only practicable one might drive a carriage and pair. This is probably to be accounted for by the fact of the Naka-kaido or inland highway having been invariably used by the Northern daimios; while Soma being the norther most daimio on the coast road had no object in keeping up his communication to the North of his capital, but only troubled himself to look after the road he used in his annual state pilgrimages to Yedo.
Hiring jin-rik-shas at Iwanoma we traversed the distance of five ri over a line of well cultivated country, crossing two considerable rivers on the way, and reached the important town of Sendai after dark. We were detained some time in heavy rain awaiting the selection of an hotel, but were ultimately provided with excellent accommodation.
Sendai, distant one hundred ri from Yedo, is at present the chief town of Miangi Ken. It was formerly the resid-
