Japan -- History; Japan -- Politics and government
* In the Nengo of Boon ro ku, 1592-96, the two officers Ogochi and
Assano surveyed all Japan. They made a report, which was laid before
the Emperor. A survey of the provinces, counties, districts and
parishes was made, together with the forests, mountains, rivers,
and a calculation was made of the value. If a man possess land
yielding 1,000 koku, he is to provide five horsemen. If 10,000, 50
horsemen. If 50,000, 250 horsemen. If 100,000 koku, 1,000 horsemen.
This is one “goon” or regiment. 3,000 horsemen make one battalion,
over which is placed one general or Jo sho. Over 2,000 is placed a
Lieutenant-general, or Chiu sho. Over 1,000 is placed a Kasho, or
Major-general [all this is altered now]. But I have a regard for old
customs and long service, therefore the house of Ee shall be over
all the generals. Ee man chiu was my general, therefore I presented
him with a gold Sai hae [a baton like a fan, used by high military
officers]; and I made Honda “Kasho,” and gave him a paper Sai hae.
The above arrangement all military officers are to make themselves
acquainted with.
* If disputes arise as to the boundaries of the territories (Rioboong
of Daimios or of Hattamoto), these are to be referred to an Owometske
and the Kanjo boonyo, the head of the Treasury. But if the disputants
refuse to abide by the decision, and fighting ensues, the ground in
dispute shall be confiscated by the Shiogoon.
* Byshings (Ch., Peichin)--_i.e._, large retainers of Daimios--even if
they have large landed possessions, and are equal in wealth to Daimios,
are not on the same footing with Jiki shing (_i.e._, retainers of the
Shiogoon), and are always inferior to the latter in rank, even though
superior in wealth.
* In fights among the common people, even if two or three are killed
on one side, both parties are to be looked upon as criminal, and to be
punished, but not so severely as if a man out of forethought murders
another, and does not act on the heat of the moment.
* If a man employs another to commit a murder, if a man poisons, and
wishes to make profit or advantage to himself out of a murder, or if a
thief murders to steal, such men must be discovered, even if the grass
of all Japan is looked through.
* Of the four employments in Japan--the Samurai, two-sworded gentlemen;
the Hyaksho, the farmer; Shokonini, artisan; and the Akindo,
merchant--the Samurai is the first in rank. If one of the other three
are rude in conduct to a Samurai, he himself can punish him. But among
Samurai there are different ranks, some being Jiki shing, others
Byshing, retainers of the Shiogoon and retainers of Daimios, and others
servants of Byshings, who also are Kimi and Shing, master and servant.
If among any of these an inferior is rude or impolite or insolent, then
he is to be treated as if he were an Akindo; _i.e._, a merchant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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