Japan -- History; Japan -- Politics and government
* If a man neglects his duties and gives himself up to gambling and
drinking, and thinks that because he is of rank he may do so, and so
seduce others beneath him to the same practices; if such a one has
not been taught that such conduct is wrong by his teacher, it shall be
considered the teacher’s crime; but if he has been taught, he himself
shall be considered the offender, and dealt with accordingly; but in
these offenses there are great differences in degree, and some are to
be punished severely, others lightly.
* Men are prone to become indolent and lazy at work, and in consequence
become thieves, breaking the laws and occasioning trouble; all these
must be severely punished by death; and if any one sets houses on fire,
forges seals or signatures, poisons, coins false money--such shall be
either burned alive or be speared on a cross.
* A government can easily gather information as to what men do in
their business, but as to what they think in their hearts it is more
difficult. Kamakura dono, in reference to this, followed the customs
of the Tong dynasty of China, and had recourse to informers, offering
rewards to such as should give information as to evil-disposed persons.
* In regard to the Go koku, or five grains--_i.e._, grain of every
kind--if these are not abundant, the way of the government of the
Emperor is obscure. If crime abounds, the Shiogoon shows himself
destitute of executive energy. He himself must be active and diligent
in his own duties.
* The higher men (? nobility) make the laws, and the lower classes
follow and obey; but it is sometimes difficult to act up to the rules
laid down, therefore men of rank are not to order one thing and do
another themselves, but are to take care that they carry out what they
profess, and observe the laws which they lay down.
* In regard to Kokushu (territorial princes, or lords of a province)
and Jo shiu (larger Daimios), if they act in such a way as if not to
amount to crime, still may be deserving of censure, they cannot be
punished personally, but they are to be ordered to carry out some
expensive undertaking for the benefit of the country.--Such as making a
fort; that at Kanagawa was thus made by Oki no kami.
* Upon the death of the Kinri (the Emperor), or Sento (retired
Emperor), or the Emperor’s wife or near relative, all music and shows
of pleasure are to cease for a time. If one of the San ko (either the
Oo- or Sa- or Nai-daijin) dies, or the Dai shiogoon, notice shall be
given of how many days this cessation shall be.--Mourning for the
Emperor lasts for thirteen months.
* When a new Emperor ascends the throne, the expenses are all to be
undertaken by me, the Shiogoon, and in these I must be liberal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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