At this time Ohotomo no Nagatoko no Muraji [his cognomen was Mumakahi], girt with a golden quiver, stood on the right hand of the throne,’and Inugami no Takebe no Kimi, girt with a golden quiver, stood on the left hand of the throne. The functionaries, Omi, Muraji, Kunino Miyakko, Tomo no Miyakko and the 180 Be, ranged in order, went round * making obeisance. On this day the title of Kd-so-bo ® was conferred on the Empress Toyo-takara, and Naka no Ohoye was made Prince Imperial, Abe no Uchimaro no Omi was made Sa-dai-jin, and Soga no Kurayamada Ishikaha no Maro no Omi was made U-dai-jin.® ' Jomei Tenné. * The toner.
3 Probably a raised dais is meant.
4 Probably passing before the Emperor in rotation, as at our levees.
» Empress Dowager. Lit. Empress grandmother or ancestress.
6 Sadaijin and Udaijin are respectively Great. Minister of the Left and Great Minister of the Right. The left has precedence of the right in these matters. It is the same characters which above represent Oho-omi which KOTOoKU. 197 A great brocade cap of honour was given to Nakatomi no Kamako no Muraji, and he was made Naijin,' with an increased feudal revenue of a large number of houses,’ etc., etc. Naka- tomi no Kamako no Muraji cherished the most sincere loyalty. Trusting to his power as ruling Minister, he took place over the various functionaries. In respect therefore to advancements and dismissals, taking measures or abandoning them, every- thing was done in accordance with his counsel, etc., etc.’ The Buddhist priest* Min Hoshi and Kuromaro Takamuko no Fubito were made national doctors.’
15th day. Golden tablets were granted to the Oho-omi, Abe no Kurahashi no Maro, and to the Oho-omi, Soga no Yamada no Ishikaha no Maro. [One book says they were granted refined gold. | - 19th day. The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Prince Imperial summoned together the Ministers under the great tsuki® tree, and made an oath appealing to the Gods of Heaven and Earth, and saying:— ‘* Heaven covers us: Earth upbears us: the Imperial ’ way is but one. But in this last degenerate age, the order of Lord and Vassal was destroyed, until Supreme Heaven by Our hands put to death the traitors. Now, from this time forward, both parties shedding their heart’s blood, the Lord will eschew double methods of government, and the Vassal will avoid duplicity in his service of the are here used for daijin. That a change in the mode of reading them took place at some time is certain, but it is impossible to fix it exactly. Oho-omi is retained below, though daijin is possibly more correct. Sadaijin and Udaijin have been in use in our own day.
‘ Minister (Omi) of the Interior, i.e. of the Household, a rank next after that of Prime Minister.
Of serfs.
* The “Shukai” editor says the etc., etc. marks a hiatus in the MS. much to be deplored. The previous two sentences are a quotation from a Chinese history.
* The word used is Shamon, the equivalent of the Sansk. S’ramana. Vide Eitel, p. 157. Min Hoshi is probably the priest who studied in China, and whose astronomical knowledge is above referred to. Hoshi is a priestly rank, the Sansk. Upadhyaya.
° Hakase, men of learning—not medical men.
6 Planera. 7 Or Divine.
SGV a, XXV. s, XXV. 6.
198 NIHONGI.
sovereign! On him who breaks this oath, Heaven will send a curse and earth a plague, demons will slay them, and men will smite thém. This is as manifest as the sun and moon.’*?
The style 4th year of the Empress Ame-toyo-takara ikashi-hi tarashi-hime was altered to Daikwa, Ist year.’
Daikwa,. Ist year, Autumn, 7th month, 2nd day. The Imperial Princess Hashibito, daughter of the Emperor Okinaga tarashi-hi hiro-nuka,* was made Empress. Two consorts were appointed. The senior was Wo-tarashi-hime, daughter of the Oho-omi, Abe no Kurahashi no Maro. She was the mother of the Imperial Prince Arima. The junior consort was Chi- iratsume, daughter of the Oho-omi, Soga no Yamada no Ishikaha no Maro.
roth day. Koryo, Pékché, and Silla all sent Envoys at the same time bearing tribute. The Pekché tribute-envoys were also charged with the office of Envoys from Imna and with the Imna tribute. But the Pékché Chief Envoy, the Cha-phyéng * YOn-pok, fell ill, and remained in the official residence of the Port,’ so that he did not enter the capital. Kose no Tokuda no Omi addressed the Koryé Envoys on the Emperor’s behalf, saying:—‘‘ This is the mandate of the Emperor of Japan, who rules the world as a God incarnate. ‘The Envoys sent by the Emperor and the Envoys sent by the Kory6 Sons of the Gods,° have a brief past, but a long future. Let them, therefore, simply continue to pass backwards and forwards with friendly hearts.’’’ Next he addressed the Pékché Envoys on the Emperor’s behalf, saying:—‘‘ This is the mandate of the Emperor of Japan, who rules the world as a God incarnate. ‘At first, in the reign of our remote Imperial ancestor, the Land of Pékché was made an interior Miyake’ which might be ' It may be noted that there is nothing Buddhist or Shintd in this vow. It is pure Chinese. It is not exactly an oath according to our ideas, but an imprecation on rebellion.
? This is the first introduction of the nengo, $e Be, or year-period, a Chinese chronological device. [Vzde Introduction to “ Satow’s Chronological Tables.” Daikwa means great civilization or development. Asa matter of fact very revolutionary changes took place in this reign.
3 Jomei Tenno. * Minister of the Left. > Doubtless Osaka.
6 A polite term for kings.
7 i.e. immediately dependent on the throne.
KOTOKU. 199 compared to a three-fold cord.'. In more recent times Imna was handed over to be a dependency of Pekché. After that, Adzumabito, Miwa no Kurikuma no Kimi, was sent to inspect the frontier of the Land of Imna, and the King of Pékché, in obedience to the Emperor’s behest, showed him all the frontier. Yet there is a deficiency in the tribute, and it is therefore returned. The articles which are the produce of Imna are distinctly observed by the Emperor. Now for the future the country should be noted down as well the tribute which comes from it.2~ May you, the Cha-phyéng and the others, come back unchanged in appearance,’ and speedily bring us a clear answer. Adzumabito, Miwa no Kimi, and Mtmakahi no Miyakko will now be sent again.’ ”’ A further Imperial order was given—‘‘ Let the wife and children of Wi-sa, a Talsol of Kwipu, be sent away.” * 12th day. The Emperor gave command to the Oho-omi, Abe no Kurahashi no Maro, and the Oho-omi, Soga no Ishi- kaha no Maro, saying:—‘‘ The Empire should be ruled by following in the footsteps of the Emperors ofantiquity. More- over, in your government of the Empire, you should preserve fidelity.”’
13th day. The Emperor gave command to the Oho-omi, Abe no Kurahashi no Maro, and the Oho-omi, Soga no Ishikaha no Maro, saying:—‘‘ Inquire of the Daibu and the hundred Tomo no Miyakko, one after another, as to the method of making gladness the means of using the people’s services.’
14th day. The Oho-omi, Soga no Ishikaha no Maro, addressed the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ First of all the Gods of Heaven and Earth should be propitiated by worship; thereafter affairs of government ought to be considered.”
On this day, Hirafu, Yamato no Aya no Atahe, was sent to ' This is explained to mean Pékché, the Japanese authority in Imna, and the native Kings of Imna.
2 The meaning seems to be that, as the Emperor takes special notice of the produce of Imna, a list should be prepared showing what tribute is sent by Pékché and what by Imna, so that any deficiency may be at once recognizable.
3 By sickness or old age.
4 They were probably hostages. Vzde XXIV. Io.
* Of reconciling the people to forced labour.
XUV ve XXV. 8.
200 NIHONGI.
the province of Wohari and Komaro, Imbe no Obito to the province of Mino, to levy offerings for the Gods.'
8th month, 5th day. Governors of the Eastern provinces’ were appointed. Then the Governors were addressed as follows:—‘‘ In accordance with the charge entrusted to Us by the Gods of Heaven, We propose at this present for the first time to regulate the myriad provinces.
When you proceed to your posts, prepare registers of all the free subjects of the State and of the people under the con- trol of others, whether great or small. Take account also of the acreage ® of cultivated land. As to the profits arising from the gardens and ponds, the water and land, deal with them in common with the people.* Moreover it is not competent for the provincial Governors, while in their provinces, to decide criminal cases, nor are they permitted by accepting bribes to bring the people to poverty and misery. When they come up to the capital they must not bring large numbers of the people in their train. They are only allowed to bring with them the Kuni no Miyakko and the district officials.* | But when they travel on public business they may ride the horses of their department, and eat the food of their department. From the rank of Suke * upwards those who obey this law will surely be rewarded, while those who disobey it shall be liable to be reduced in cap-rank. On all, from the rank of Hangwan'° 1 Shinto.
1 Shinto.
2 iyi, which is here rendered acreage, is the Chinese mow, now fixed by treaty as equal to 7333 sq. yards. is used here in the more general sense of cultivated land generally, not merely rice-fields. The Kana gloss tahatake appears to me to be put for HJ in this wider sense. Dr. Florenz interprets this expression differently. He takes hata or hatake to represent fil, making the whole mean rice-land and dry fields—Reis- und Trockenfelder.
3 Take them into your counsel.
* This is the way in which the commentators construe this passage. If there was any authority for doing so, I should like to take 34 as equivalent to ff SH J\ a few lines above, or to suppose that this phrase has been omitted. This would give the meaning, “the serfs of the Kuni no Miyakko and of the district.” These local Governors usually were Kuni no Miyakko.
» Assistant to a Governor.
6 The interlinear gloss is Matsurigotobito, i.e. Government-man. It is doubtful whether this and many more of these glosses are anything more than translations of the Chinese. The hangwan was a sort of aide of the chief local authority. Chancellor, perhaps nearly corresponds to it.
KorToKu. 201 downwards, who accept bribes a fine shall be imposed of double the amount, and they shall eventually be punished criminally according to the greater or less heinousness of the case. Nine men are allowed as attendants on a Chief Governor, seven on an assistant, and five on a secretary. If this limit is exceeded, and they are accompanied by a greater number, both chief and followers shall be punished criminally.
If there be any persons who lay claim to a title,’ but who, not being Kuni no Miyakko, Tomo no Miyakko, or Inaki of districts by descent, unscrupulously draw up lying memorials, saying:—‘ From the time of our forefathers we have had charge of this Miyake or have ruled this district ’—in such cases, ye, the Governors, must not readily make application to the Court in acquiescence in such fictions, but must ascertain particularly the true facts before making your report.
Moreover on waste pieces of ground let arsenals be erected, and let the swords and armour, with the bows and arrows of the provinces and districts, be deposited together in them. In the case of the frontier provinces which border close on the Yemishi, let all the weapons be mustered together, and let them remain in the hands of their original owners. In regard to the six districts of the province of Yamato, let the officials who are sent there prepare registers of the population, and also take an account of the acreage of cultivated land.
This means to examine the acreage of the cultivated ground, and the numbers, houses, and ages of the people.
Ye Governors of provinces, take careful note of this and withdraw.” Accordingly presents were made them of silk and cloth, which varied in the case of each person.
This day a bell and box were provided in the Court. The 1 Lit. name.
? It would seem that at this time there was a reorganization of the local governments, giving a more centralized character to the administration temporary Governors superseding in some measure the hereditary titular officials. No clear account is given of this change, but it seems plainly to be inferred from the above passage. Kokushi, #4 i!, are not now men- tioned for the first time, and it is clear that the change was not made all at once. The similar change from the Daimio system to that of local prefec- tures in 1868 will occur to the reader.
* The box was for the purpose of receiving petitions and complaints, like the Me-yasu-bako of later times. This custom was derived from China. See Florenz’s note.
OOO EXC 1.
202 NIHONGI.
Emperor issued an order, saying:—‘‘ If there be a complainant, in case the person in question belongs to a Tomo no Miyakko, let the Tomo no Miyakko first make inquiry and then report to Us. In case the person in question has an elder,’ let the elder first make inquiry and then report to Us. If, however, the Tomo no Miyakko or the elder does not come to a clear decision respecting the complaint, let a document be received and placed in the box, and punishment will be inflicted according to the offence. The person who receives the docu- ment should at dawn take it and make report to the Inner Palace, when We will mark on it the year and month, and com- municate it to the Ministers. In case there is any neglect to decide it, or if there are malpractices on the part of intriguing persons, let the complainant strike the bell. This is why the bell is hung and box provided in the Court. Let the people of the Empire know and appreciate Our intention.
Moreover the law of men and women shall be that the children born of a free man and a free woman shall belong to the father: if a free man takes to wife a slave woman, her children shall belong to the mother: if a free woman marries a slave man, the children of the marriage shall belong to the father; if they are slaves of two houses, the children shall belong to the mother. The children of temple serfs shall follow the rule for freemen. But in regard to others who become slaves, they shall be treated according to the rule for slaves. Do ye now publish this well to the people as a beginning of regulations.” ” 8th day. A messenger was sent to the Great Temple* to summon together the Buddhist priests and nuns, and to address them on the part of the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ In the 13th year of the reign of the Emperor* who ruled the world in the Palace of Shikishima, King Myong of Pékché reverently trans- mitted the Law of Buddha to our great Yamato. At this time the Ministers in a body were opposed to its transmission. Only Soga no Iname no Sukune believed in this Law, and the Emperor accordingly instructed him to receive it with reverence. In the reign of the Emperor who ruled the world in the Palace 1 The senior member of his family.
2 The first example of what we should call legislation. Compare the so-called laws of Shotoku Daishi above, A.D. 604.
3 Kudara Temple. 4 Kimmei Tenno.
aan ee a ~Koroku. 203 of Wosada,’ Soga no Mttmako no Sukune, influenced by reverence for his deceased father, continued to prize highly the doctrines of Buddha.? But the other Ministers had no faith in it, and its institutes had almost perished when the Emperor instructed Mtmako no Sukune reverently to receive this Law. In the reign of the Empress who ruled the world in the Palace ~ of Woharida,? Mimako no Sukune, on’ behalf of the Empress, made an embroidered figure of Buddha sixteen feet high and a copper image of Buddha sixteen feet high. He exalted the doctrine of Buddha and showed honour to its priests and nuns. It is Our desire anew to exalt the pure doctrine and brilliantly to promulgate great principles. We therefore appoint as professors the following ten persons:—The S‘ramana, Pok- nyang, Hyé-un, Syang-an, Nyéng-un, and Hyé-chi, Taihoshi * of Koma, and Sodbin, Déto, Yerin, Yemyd and Yeon, chief priests of temples.’ We separately appoint the Hoshi, Yemyo, chief priest of the Temple of Kudara.
Let these ten professors well instruct the priests in general in the practice of the teachings of Shaka. It is needful that they be made to comply with the Law. If there is a difficulty about repairing Temples built by any from the Emperor down to the Tomo no Miyakko, We will in all cases assist in doing so. We shall also cause Temple Commissioners and Chief Priests to be appointed, who shall make a circuit to all the temples, and having ascertained the actual facts respecting the priests and nuns, their male and female slaves, and the acreage of their cultivated lands, report all the particulars clearly og ta Accordingly Kume no Omi, Miwa no Shikobu no Kimi, and Ohi, Nukadabe no Muraji, were appointed Hoto.° gth month, 1st day. Officials were sent on a mission to all the provinces to regulate the matter of weapons.
One book says:—‘‘ From the 6th to the gth month 1 Bindatsu Tenno.
3 Suiko Tenno. 4 A rank in the Buddhist priesthood.
» I give the last five names the Japanese pronunciation. But some of them may have been Coreans. Some editions make “chief priests of temples ” part of the original commentary.
§ 1.e. Heads of the Law. See above, XXII. 38.
» OOF II.
204: NIHONGI.
messengers were sent to the provinces of the four quarters to collect weapons of all kinds.”
3rd day. The Imperial Prince Furubito, Kahahori, Soga no Taguchi no Omi, Shihimi, Mononobe no Yenowi no Muraji, Shidaru, Kibi no Kasa no Omi, Maro, Yamato no Aya no fumi no Atahe, and Takutsu, Yechi no Hada no Miyakko, plotted rebellion. | One book says:—‘‘ The Heir Apparent Furubito.” One book says:—‘‘ Furubito no Ohoye.” This Imperial Prince repaired to the mountains of Yoshino, and he is therefore sometimes styled the Heir Apparent of Yoshino.
12th day. Shidaru, Yoshino no Kasa no Omi, surrendered himself to Naka no Ohoye, saying:—‘‘ The Imperial Prince Yoshino no Furubito and Kahahori, Soga no Taguchi no Omi, etc., having plotted rebellion, thy servant became an accom- plice of their party.”
One book says:—‘“‘ Shidaru, Kibi no Kasa no Omi, told Abe no Oho-omi and Soga no Oho-omi that he was an accomplice of the band of rebels of the Imperial Prince of Yoshino, and that he therefore now surrendered himself.”’
Naka no Ohoye straightway sent Uda no Yenomuro no Furu and Koma no Miyachi with a considerable force to attack the Imperial Prince Furubito no Ohoye and his companions.
One book says:—‘‘ 11th month, 30th day. Naka no Ohoye sent Abe, Kosobe no Omi, and Sahekibe no Komaro, these two, with a force of thirty men to attack Furubito no Ohoye. They slew Furubito no Ohoye and his children. His consorts strangled themselves.’”’ One book says:— “tithmonth. Prince Yoshino no Ohoye plotted rebellion, but the matter having become public, he was executed.”
“roth day. Commissioners were sent to all the provinces to take a record of the total numbers of the people. The Emperor on this occasion made an edict, as follows:— “In the times of all the Emperors, from antiquity down- wards, subjects have been set apart for the purpose of making notable their reigns and handing down their names to posterity.’ Now the Omi and Muraji, the Tomo no Miyakko and the Kuni no Miyakko, have each one set apart their own vassals, 1 The reference is to the institution of Be with names commemorative of the reign.
KOTOKU. 205 whom they compel to labour at their arbitrary pleasure. Moreover they cut off the hills and seas, the woods and plains, the ponds and rice-fields belonging to the provinces and districts, and appropriate them to themselves. Their contests are never-ceasing. Some engross to themselves many tens of thousands of shiro’ of rice-land, while others possess in all patches of ground too small to stick a needle into. When the time comes for the payment of taxes, the Omi, the Muraji, and the Tomo no Miyakko, first collect them for themselves and then hand over a share. In the case of repairs to palaces or the construction of misasagi, they each bring their own vassals, and do the work according to circumstances. The Book of Changes says:—‘‘ Diminish that which is above: increase that which is below: if measures are framed according to the regulations, the resources (of the State) suffer no injury, and the people receive no hurt.’’?
‘“‘ At the present time, the people are still few. And yet the powerful cut off portions of land and water,’ and converting them into private ground, sell it to the people, demanding the price yearly. From this time forward the sale* of land is not allowed. Let no man without due authority make himself a landlord, engrossing to himself that which belongs to the helpless.”’
The people were greatly rejoiced.
Winter, 12th month, gth day. The Emperor removed the capital to Toyosaki in Nagaraat Naniha. Old people, remark- ing upon this to one another, said:—‘‘ The movement of rats towards Naniha from spring until summer was an omen of the removal of the capital.’ ° 24th day. It was reported from the land of Koshi:—‘‘ Drift- wood of the sea shore passed away towards the east, leaving an impression on the sand like a ploughed rice-field in appearance.”
This year was the year Kinoto Mi (42nd) of the Cycle.
1 A land measure of 15°13 acres.
* i.e. rice ground and other cultivated land.
* By sale is evidently meant letting. An early example of a “Land Act.
* A similar story is related in Chinese History (in the Wei dynasty) of rats indicating a change of capital by their movements.
XXV.13.
XXV.
206 NIHONGI.
2nd year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. As soon as the ceremonies of the new year’s congratulations were over, the Emperor promulgated an edict of reforms, as follows:— ‘“‘T. Let the people established by the ancient Emperors, etc., as representatives of children be abolished, also the Miyake of various places and the people owned as serfs by the Wake,’ the Omi, the Muraji, the Tomo no Miyakko, the Kuni no Miyakko and the Mura no Obito.? Let the farmsteads* in various places be abolished.’ Consequently fiefs were granted for their sustenance * to those of the rank of Daibu and upwards on a descending scale.* Presents of cloth and silk stuffs were given to the officials and people, varying in value.
‘“‘Further We say. It is the business of the Daibu to govern the people. If they discharge this duty thoroughly, the people have trust in them, and an increase of their revenue is therefore for the good of the people.
II. The capital is for the first time to be regulated, and Governors appointed for the Home provinces and districts. Let barriers, outposts,guards, and post-horses, both special . and ordinary, be provided, bell-tokens® made, and mountains and rivers regulated.’
Bell-token.
he See-above, Viol. I. ps 192: 2 Chief men of villages.
> Of serfs. 4 Instead of the serfs taken from them.
® The “ Roku-rei” gives a scale of sustenance-fiefs at a later period. A Prime Minister had 3000 houses, a Junior Prime Minister 2000, a Dainagon 800, etc., etc. These fiefs were hereditary.
6 I was at first disposed to regard the bells and tokens as different objects, but now agree with Dr. Florenz that they are the same. They were small globular bells, sometimes single, sometimes in groups as in the illustration, and indicated by their shape and number how many horses the bearer was entitled to. This institution was borrowed from China.; 7 By the regulation of mountains and rivers is meant the provision of guards at ferries and mountain passes which serve as boundaries between different provinces.
2 eeEeE———— et KOTOKU. 207 For each ward in the capital let there be appointed one alderman,’ and for four wards one chief alderman,’ who shall be charged with the superintendence of the population, and the examination of criminal matters. For appointment as chief aldermen of wards let men be taken belonging to the wards, of unblemished character, firm and upright, so that they may fitly sustain the duties of the time. For appoint- ments as aldermen, whether of rural townships or of city wards, let ordinary subjects be taken belonging to the township or ward, of good character and solid capacity. Ifsuch men are not to be found in the township or ward in question, it is permitted to select and employ men of the adjoining township or ward.
The Home provinces shall include the region from the River Yokogaha at Nabari* on the east, from Mount Senoyama in Kii on the south, from Kushibuchi in Akashi on the west, and from Mount Afusaka-yama in Sasanami in Afumi on the north. Districts of forty townships * are constituted Greater Districts, of from thirty to four townships are constituted Middle Districts, and of three or fewer townships are constituted Lesser Districts. For the district authorities, of whatever class, let there be taken Kuni no Miyakko of unblemished character, such as may fitly sustain the duties of the time, and made Tairei and Shorei.? Let men of solid capacity and intelligence who are skilled in writing and arithmetic be appointed assistants and clerks.
The number of special or ordinary post-horses given shall in all cases follow the number of marks on the posting bell-tokens. When bell-tokens are given to (officials of) the provinces and barriers, let them be held in both cases by the chief official, or in his absence by the assistant official.
III. Let there now be provided for the first time registers of 1 The interlinear gloss is zwosa, or chief.
* The interlinear gloss is wzagashz, one who demands.
In Iga.; ff A ri or sato consisted of 50 houses.
Greater and Lesser Governors. These terms are rendered Kori no Miyakko and Suke no Miyakko in the interlinear glosses. But I have little doubt that the Chinese words are intended, and that these are mere trans- lations, and not the real titles of these officials.
3 4 5 ONE: XXV.
is.
XXV.
XXV.
XXV.
ey: 208 NIHONGI.
population, books of account and a system of the receipt and re-granting of distribution-land."
Let every fifty houses be reckoned a township, and in every township let there be one alderman who shall be charged with the superintendence of the population,? the direction of the sowing of crops and the cultivation of mulberry trees, the pre- vention and examination of offences, and the enforcement of the payment of taxes and of forced labour.
For rice-land, thirty paces in length by twelve paces in breadth shall be reckoned a tan.’ Ten tan make one cho. For each tan the tax is two sheaves and two bundles (such as can be grasped in the hand) of rice; for each cho the tax is twenty-two sheaves of rice. On mountains or in valleys where the land is precipitous, or in remote places where the population is scanty, such arrangements are to be made as may be con- venient.‘ IV. The old taxes and forced labour are abolished, and a system of commuted taxes instituted. These shall consist of fine silks, coarse silks, raw silk, and floss silk,® all in accordance with what is produced in the locality. For each cho of rice- land the rate is one rod° of fine silk, or for four chd one piece forty feet in length by two and a half feet in width. For coarse silk the rate is two rods (per cho), or one piece for every two cho of the same length and width as the fine silk. For cloth ‘The Denryé (Land Regulations) says, “In granting Kd-dun-den (land shared in proportion to population) men shall have two tan, women a third less, and children under five years of age none. Lands are granted for a term of six years.” This seems to point to a general redistribution of lands once in six years, something after the manner still practised in Russia.
? i.e. of the registers of population.
* Allowing five feet to the pace, this would make the tan gooo square feet. The Japanese foot is not very different from our own. The present Zaz is 10,800 square feet. Thesinterlinear gloss of E¥ is kida; but I am strongly inclined to think that the Chinese word ¢az is here intended.
4 The “Shikai” editor brings in this last sentence at the end of the previous paragraph. It would then apply to the appointment of rural aldermen. The old reading is better.
> The “Shikai” adds i, or cloth, by which is meant fabrics of hemp or of the fibre of the inner bark of the paper mulberry. Textiles served the purpose of currency in this period, so that this commutation was in the nature of a substitution of payment in money for payment in rice.
6 Ten feet.; KOorToKu. 209 the rate is four rods of the same dimensions as the fine and coarse silk, i.e. one tan’ for each cho. [No rates of weight are anywhere given for silk or floss silk.] Let there be levied separately a commuted house tax.’ All houses shall pay each one rod and two feet of cloth. The extra articles of this tax, as well as salt and offerings,* will depend on what is produced in the locality. For horses for the public service, let every hundred houses contribute one horse of medium quality. Or if the horse is of superior quality, let one be contributed by every two hundred houses. If the horses have to be purchased, the price shall be made up by a,payment from each house of one rod and two feet of cloth. As to weapons, each person shall contribute a sword, armour, bow and arrows, a flag, and a drum. For coolies, the old system, by which one coolie was provided by every thirty houses, is altered, and one coolie is to be furnished from every fifty houses [one is for employment as a menial servant! for allotment to the various functionaries. Fifty houses shall be allotted to provide rations for one coolie, and one house shall contribute two rods and two feet of cloth and five masu ‘ of rice in lieu of service.
For waiting-women in the Palace,’ let there be furnished the sisters or daughters of district officials of the rank of Shorei or upwards—good-looking women [with one male and two female servants to attend on them], and let 100 houses be allotted to provide rations for one waiting-woman. The cloth and rice supplied in lieu of service shall, in every case, follow the same rule as for coolies.’’® In this month the Emperor occupied the separate Palace of Koshiro. He sent messengers to command the provinces and districts to repair the arsenals. Yemishi came and did homage.
One book says:—‘“‘ The Miyake of Koshiro, in the village ‘ There are two tan to the hiki or piece, which now measures about 213 yards.
> The Chinese is #4, rendered in Japanese by mitsugi, or tribute. Here it seems to exclude the rice-tax, but to include various miscellaneous taxes.
* Or “salted articles of food for the Emperotr’s table.”
* Or shO = 109 cubic inches. > Uneme.
° For an account of the modern system of taxation in Japan the reader is referred to a paper in the “T.A.S.J.,” Vol. XX., Supplement, p. 121.
MONEY Bh 7 ee XXV.
DOXOVin eT, 210 NIHONGI.
of Sayabe, at Naniha, was pulled down, and a temporary Palace erected.”
2nd month, 15th day. The Emperor proceeded to the Eastern Gate of the Palace, where, by Soga, Oho-omi of the Right,’ he decreed as follows:-— “The God Incarnate, the Emperor Yamato-neko,’ who rules the world, gives command to the Ministers assembled in his presence, to the Omi, Muraji, Kuni no Miyakko, Tomo no Miyakko, and subjects of various classes, saying:—