Japan -- History; Japan -- Politics and government
Ko boo shio boonio.--The military school where drill exercise, the
use of weapons of war, fortification and military tactics generally,
are taught to young officers. There are three officers over the
establishment, but many teachers of the different branches. The school
is in Owo ngawa matchi or street in Yedo. Artillery is taught near the
garden of the Shiogoon at Hama go teng. Sword-practice with sticks
(kenjits) is a favorite amusement with young officers. They have sticks
with basket guards, with which they practice. Before beginning, each
puts on an iron wire grating over the head, a bamboo-and-leather belt
around the chest, and bamboo guards for the arms with gloves. Yet
with all this one is sometimes severely handled. The sword is long,
two-handed, sharp on one edge and at the point, and for about two
inches from the point on the back; so that they either cut or thrust,
and aim at cutting the neck with a back cut. They are very dexterous at
the use of this weapon, whether against a sword or a bayonet or spear.
Practice with the rifle is also very common in the government schools,
and in the grounds of Daimios about Yedo. There is a large parade
ground or open country to the back of Yedo for the use of the military,
called Hiro.
Naka kawa bansho.--An office for the examination of boats coming
from and passing to the interior by the communicating branch of the
river--the Naka gawa. Upon this stream boats can go to the provinces on
the northwest, north and east of Yedo. Besides these there are officers
who have charge of the Shiogoon’s barges and boats.
There are officials whose duty is to examine into alleged encroachments
by Daimios in Yedo upon the roads, streets, rivers, or sea. The
superficial quantity of land as gardens that an officer may hold in
Yedo is regulated by his official income. (One tsubo equals thirty-six
square feet.) An income of from 300 to 900 koku may have 500 tsubo,
18,000 square feet; 1,000 to 1,900 koku may have 700 tsubo, 25,200
square feet; 2,900 koku may have 1,000 tsubo, 36,000 square feet; 4,000
koku may have 1,500 tsubo, 54,000 square feet. And so on up to 150,000,
whose allotment is 7,000 tsubo, or about 252,000 feet square.
There are sword-keepers of the Shiogoon, and also keepers of the books
or library, and a keeper of the presents, gifts, or tribute paid
by each Daimio. Gifts as tribute are being received daily, and are
regulated by order. But frequently handsome presents are voluntarily
made by Daimios, perhaps in some cases for favors to come. For
instance, Owarri is ordered to present to the Shiogoon upon the first
month, third day, congratulatory cakes.
Upon the third and seventh months a large noshi--symbol of a present
with a piece of dried fish--with paper and two tubs of wine.
On the 18th of the fourth month, fish; and again in the same month,
A-ï, a fresh-water fish, considered a delicacy.
On the fourth and eighth months, the same fish preserved in vinegar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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