14 INTEODDCTION. 



princes. If tliey belong to one of the imperial cities, tlieir military service is clue directly to 

 the Ziogoon himself. The number of armed vassals required of them is regulated by the extent 

 of their respective domains. These hereditary nobles have generally sub-vassals on their lands, 

 who are bound to furnish their several quotas of fighting men. Out of tliis class, governors of 

 provinces, generals, and officers of State are selected. 



Class III. This includes all the priests of the Kingdom— seemingly, those of the ancient 

 religion of Japan, Sintoo, as well as of Buddhism. 



Class IV. This is composed of the vassal soldiers, furnished by the nobility of Class II. 

 These four classes are the higher orders of Japanese society, and enjoy certain privileges of 

 dress. They carry two swords, and wear a species of loose petticoat trowsers, which none of 

 lower rank dare to put on. 



Class V. These constitute the higher portion of the middle classes, such as medical men, 

 government clerks, and other professional men and employes. 



Class VI. Merchants and shopkeepers, who rank low in Japan, no matter what may be 

 their wealth. Any one of the classes above this would be disgraced forever should he engage 

 in any trade or traffic. The richest men in the Empire belong to this class ; and yet they are 

 not permitted to expend their money in a luxurious or ostentatious style of living. Sumptuary 

 laws impose restraints which they dare not violate. They are not allowed to wear even the 

 single sword, imless they purchase the privilege, by becoming the menial followers of some great 

 lord, at the price of a considerable sum of money. 



Class VII. This is composed of retail dealers, little shopkeepers, pedlars, mechanics, and 

 artisans of all descriptions, save one, to be mentioned presently. Painters and other artists 

 belong to this class. 



Class VIII. This consists of sailors, fishermen, peasants, and agricultural and day laborers 

 of all kinds. The peasants seem to be a species of serfs, attached to the soil, like the ancient 

 villein of feudal times, and belong to the land-owner. Sometimes the land is hired, and worked 

 "on shares," the agriculturist paying the proprietor a certain proportion of the crops. 



Tlie exception alluded to among mechanics, in Class VII, is one which is supposed to have 

 originated in one of the superstitions of the Sintoo religion, which tabooed all who had defiled 

 themselves by coming in contact with a dead body. Whether this be the origin of the excep- 

 tion, we know not ; but the fact is well established, that the tanners, curriers, leather dressers, 

 and, in short, every one in any way connected with the making or vending of leather is placed 

 under ban or interdict. Those of this proscribed class cannot dwell in the towns or villages 

 that are occupied by the other classes ; they are not even numbered in the census of the popula- 

 tion. They dare not enter an inn, tea-house, or any public place of entertainment. If they 

 are travelling, and want food or drink, they must wait outside of the wall of the house, and 

 there be served in their own bowl or platter ; for no Japanese, not of their own class, would 

 ever touch or use the vessel out of which they had taken food. Out of this class come the 

 public executioners and gaolers throughout the Empire. In short, they are shunned like the 

 leper of old. 



Before we proceed to speak of the singular system by which these various classes are governed, 

 it is proper to premise that originally the Kingdom was sub-divided into sixty-six or sixty-eight 

 principalities. These had been previously independent kingdoms, and were continued, as prin- 

 cipalities, under the rule of their resi^ective princes, subject, liowever, to a forfeiture of the 



