Japan -- History; Japan -- Politics and government
The Portuguese treaty was signed in 1860 by Misono-gootchi Sanuki no
kami, a high Hattamoto--he was appointed in 1862 general in command
of the castle of Osaka; Sakkai oki no kami, a Hattamoto with 2,000
koku--he is now governor of the exchequer in Yedo; and Matzdaira
Djirobe--had office in 1862 in the castle Kofu.
The embassadors who visited Europe were of the rank of Hattamoto: Take
no ootchi, Simotski no kami, and others. The embassies were accompanied
by agents from the more powerful Daimios, such as Satsuma, Choshiu, and
others, who reported their observations to their own masters.
The Kokay, or Kowokay, as has been before stated, is a class which is
looked upon as intermediate in rank between Daimios and Koongays. They
are not permitted to take part in the affairs of government. They are
the representatives of old families, and receive pay from government.
The class is divided into Kimo iri kokay and Omotte Kokay.
Among the former are Hatake yama. His ancestor was a partisan of
Yoritomo; his tomb is at Kamakura.--Toki, a general of Ashikanga’s
time.--Yura, a powerful family in the time of Ashikanga.--Otta, the
lineal descendant of Nobu nanga.--Rokaku; in the time of Yoritomo known
as Sassaki.--Arima, related to Arima, the Roman Catholic.--Imagawa,
formerly lord of Surunga, and builder of Soonpu castle; defeated
by Iyeyas.--Takeda, of the family of T. Singeng, who fought against
Iyeyas. And others.
Of the Omotte Kokay--There are Owotomo, of the family of Owotomo Boongo
no kami, the great patron of the Jesuits in the sixteenth century. At
one time a very powerful family, possessing the greater portion of
the island of Kiusiu, before the power of Satsuma rose to a height.
The fortunes of the family fell with those of the Jesuits; and to
the league formed against these foreigners, the confiscation of the
extensive property of Owotomo was the stimulus to energy and the reward
of victory.--Ooyay sungi was very powerful in the province of Etsingo,
and the family for long held the office of Kwanrei at Kamakura. The
direct descendant of the Nitta line was Jera matz manjiro. He was
naturally a proud man, and refused to come to Yedo when Iyeyas invited
him, and, in consequence, he lost his position; but the other Daimios,
who trace their origin to the same source--the Nitta family--support
him in a position equal to themselves.
The class of officers next below the Hattamoto is the Gokennin. The
highest income they receive from government is less than 500 koku per
annum.
Beneath the Gokennin, officers come under the general classification of
Yakunins or officials--literally, “business men.” This name is applied
to the lower officers employed by the Shiogoon--such as Kumi gashira,
Shirabbe yaku, Jo yaku, and Shtabang. There are no Yakunins in Miako;
there the Emperor’s sub-officials are called Kwannin.
Every Yakunin is supposed to swear that he will do whatever, right or
wrong, he is ordered to do by his government.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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