42 
THE IMPERIAL HIGHWAY. 
sap. III. 
The Tokaida, or great highway of the country, 
is thronged all day long with people going to or 
returning from the capital. Every now and then 
a long train of the servants and armed retainers of 
one of the Daimios — lords or princes of the em- 
pi re — m ay he seen covering the road for miles. 
It is not unusual for a cortege of this kind to 
occupy two or three hours in passing by. Men 
run before and call upon the people to fall down 
upon their knees to do honour to the great man, 
nor do they call in vain. AH the people on both 
sides of the way drop down instantly on their 
knees, and remain in this posture until the nori- 
mon or palanquin of the prince has passed by. 
A Daimios procession is made up in the following 
manner : — First comes the prince himself in his 
norimon, followed by his horse and retainers, 
armed with swords, spears, and matchlocks ; then 
follow a number of coolies, each carrying two 
lacquered boxes slung across his shoulder on a 
bamboo pole. After these again there is an- 
other norimon, with an official of some kind; 
then more coolies with boxes, more retainers, and 
so on. The number of the followers is often veiy 
large, and depends npon and is regulated by the 
wealth and rank of the Daimio. 
Kgempfer informs us * that it is the duty of the 
princes and lords of the empire, as also of the 
governors of imperial cities and crown lands, to 
go to court once a year to pay their homage Lnd 
respect. They are attended, going and returning, 
