ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c.1565. 



other, next his bodie he weareth blacke, his outward 

 garments be red, all shadowed over with Cypresse, at 

 his cappe hang certaine Lambeaux much like unto a 

 Bishops Miter, his forehead is painted white and red, 

 he eateth his meat in earthen dishes. This Herehaught 

 determineth in all Japan the diverse titles of honour, 

 whereof in that Hand is great plentie, each one particularly 

 knowen by his badge, commonly seene in sealing up 

 their letters, and dayly altered according to their degrees. 

 About this Vo every Noble man hath his Soliciter, for 

 the nation is so desirous of praise and honour, that they 

 strive among themselves who may bribe him best. By 

 these meanes the Herehaught groweth so rich, that 

 although hee have neither land nor any revenues other- 

 wise, yet may he be accounted the wealthiest man in 

 all Japan. For three causes this great Magistrate may 

 loose his office : first, if he touch the ground with his 

 foote, as it hath beene alreadie said : next, if he kill 

 any body : thirdly, if he be found an enemie unto peace 

 and quietnesse, howbeit neither of these aforesaid causes 

 is sufficient to put him to death. 



Their third chiefe officer is a Judge, his office is to 

 take up and to end matters in controversie, to determine 

 of warres and peace, that which he thinketh right, to 

 punish rebels, wherein he may commaund the noble men 

 to assist him upon paine of forfeiting their goods : never- 

 thelesse at all times he is not obeyed, for that many 

 matters are ended rather by might and armes, then 

 determined by law. Other controversies are decided 

 either in the Temporall Court, as it seemeth good unto 

 the Princes, or in the Spirituall consistorie before the 

 Tundi. 



Rebelles are executed in this manner, especially if they 

 be noble men or officers. The king looke what day 

 he giveth sentence against any one, the same day the 

 partie, wheresoever he be, is advertised thereof, and the 

 day told him of his execution. The condemned person 

 asketh of the messenger whether it may bee lawfull for 



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