A WORD ABOUT THE ARMY OF JAPAN. 
291 
of different colours and shapes; while some of the horses 
carried the more important personages of the party, and 
the remainder burdens of matchlocks secured on each 
side in the shape of packs. And here I will remark 
upon the great number of horses which exist upon this 
island. Almost every village has several droves, some of 
which are used under the saddle by officers and couriers, 
but the greater number in the transportation of dried 
fish, &c. In height they average only from fourteen to 
fifteen hands, but are compactly built, and most mule- 
like in their powers of endurance. You sec them travel- 
ling along the beach under their packs, in single file, and 
with the bridle of one fast to the saddle of another. In 
this manner one or two men easily drive any number. 
They are shod and unshod as the nature of the road 
demands, — not with iron shoes, but with a socket of 
platted grass, which, singular to say, lasts several days. 
I embraced the opportunity presented by this somewhat 
military display, to make the best inquiries I could as to 
the army of Japan, and, from what I learned, combined 
with like information received from Tatz-nosky, came to 
the conclusion that tliey had no army at all. The feudal 
system of Middle-Age Europe prevails liere with a 
healthy if not an increasing vitality, and in the existence 
of this system is found their much-talkcd-of army. The 
Government, for instance, has a fort to be taken or de- 
fended. The work is given to some particular prince or 
nobleman, who, with las peasantr}^, — or, more properly 
speaking, his slaves, — proceeds to obey his orders. If his 
force prove insufficient, a second high officer is ordered 
to join the undertaking ; and so on. And in this lies the 
