The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-23
The Laws OF Japan.
~ AEdu Gazette.

Until lately little or nOtnlng was known IL
Europe Of the political system of Japan. Or
this subject the practice of its Government has
invariably been to thwart Investigation and
mystify inquirers. And 80 successful has this
policy been In keeping even the best informed
amongst us in ignorance as to the primary
constitution of government in the country,
that up to within the last lew years 1t was
universally believed that two emperors divided
the throne of Japan-one living in mystic
secluson and exercising mysterious powers,
whom We called "Spiritual" the other, the
Tvcoon. in whose hands was believed to rest
tbs supreme temporal sovereignty OF the en-
nire. Although we are at present better in
formed, we yet know very little. -,
One of the greatest difficulties our olplo-
matists have had to encounter IN Japan na'
been TO acquire a knowledge OF those myste-
r;ons Laws of Gongensama to which Japanese
officials 80 often refer as containing the basis
of their political system, and in which they
profess to find preoedents for any line OF con-
duct they may choose to adopt. These laws,
variously called the Legacy OF lyeyaS, the
Laws of Gongensams, and the Laws OF japan,
were framed by Iyeyas, celeora'eu IyCoon,
tba fouuder of the family OF the Tycoon OF our
own dav. Iyeyss lived in the beginning Of
the seventeenth century, and after his death
was deifed under the title Of Gongensama.
MANY attempts to gain possession of this i'm
portant code have been made, at last success
fully. manuscript copies have now been OBJ
tanned, and one or two have lately found their
wav 10 Europe. These laws consist OF one
hundred sections, and display throughout
how thoroughly feudsl is the Japanese system
of government, how much the power Of the
sword is respected, how little regarded are
the people. The laws begin by claim-
ing exemption from the gaze of all but official
ewes. "This manuscript may not
be seen by any but the Gorojiu Council Of
State at Yeddo), who, profoundly secreting it
even when in the precincts of the official resi-
dence in order to conceal it from the sight of
others, shall reflect upon and record it in their
hearts" After a few recommendations to the
practice Of selfdenial in the performance Of
duties, the providing ''for the widower, the
widow, the orphan, and the lone," and the
cultivation of purity of heart, they proceed to
the estimate of the revenue of the empire.
'sThe whole amount of the revenue Of the
Empire OF Japan is 2S, 10000 kokus of rice
(each koku equals 5'13 bushels). OF this
10000, 900 is to be divided among the daimios
(nobles) and shomios, who render faithful SER
vice: and the remaining $3.50 900 kokus form
the public revenue, which should provide for
the protection of the Emperor and for keep
ing in subsection the barbarians of the four
coasts" The writer next holds up to
admiration certain vasssls who have suffered
r
flesh to be chopped up" in his cause; and
enaots that sin what way soever their poste-
rity my offend, for anything less than actual
treason their estates may not be conhscated."
Then the principles Of government are ex-
pounded-''To assist the people is to give
peace to the empire. y Let my pos
tsrity hold fast this principle" ''The people
are the foundation of the empire" Upon
these very liberal diota follow laws of an OBJ
norcorvofiva Gin qhsanna
Of precedent, forbid the making OF new ground,
new water courses, and so forth, and the
framing of any new measures of what kind
soever Know that disturbances always arise
from such innovations. x 1t is forbidden
to alter a faulty regulation if, through
inadvertency, it has been allowed tC
remain in force during fifty years.
By subsequent law the dimios and
shomios of the fudai hereditary vassaD and
tozama (baroniaD classes, who do not hold
official appointments, are divided into two
sections. One of these is to reside at Yeddo
until relieved by the other. Those on duty
are entrusted with the care of the castle and
the outer enclosures. "They should lend
assistance in repairing damages, in the cree
tion of new buildings, in extinguishing fire,
and so on.' When relieved, they are
ordered to make "a tour of inspection into
the prosperity or adversely of the population
of their territories" Then follow rules for
the selection Of magistrates of the civil and
criminal courts, who 'are the refectors of the
mode of government. Those who are invested
with this Office should be chosen from class
of men who are upright and pure, distin-
guished for charity and benevolence. Once
every month one of the Gorojiu should be
sent, unexpectedly, to inquire into
their mode of administration or
the Shotgun should himself go unex-
pectedlv and investioata and dacida tho
case on hand" This watchtul system is no
dead letter; it is sharply felt by officials OF
every grade. The rewards of virtue which
the magistrate may bestow, the punishments
of vice he may inflict, are next enumerated.
the latter list exhibiting strange refnements
in cruelty, the terminal words "and 30 on''
giving officials the power to apply any supple.
mentary torture they may happen to fancy
These punishments are-lst, branding; ID
splitting the nose; Sd, banishment; 4th, trans
portation; 5th, strangulation; 9Th, imprison
ment; 7th, decapitation and exposure of the
head; Sth, crucifxion and translation; 9th
burning; 10th, decapitation; "and SO on. u
But the intiiction of the severe punishment
of tying a criminals legs to two oxen ani
driving them in different directions, and O
boiling in oil, is not within the power of tn,
Shotgun Ia. e. Tycoon], and is, therefore, VIC
presume, prerogative of the Emperor. Aftel
reading this list of penalties we are not sur
prised to learn that "a girded sword /
the living soul of samurai Ii. e. an off
Ger of the military classes]. In case of
samurai forgetting his sword, act as
appointed; it may not be overlooked" w
are not told the punishment due for thi
offense, but we may safely assume that il
not light one. Further on We are informe
of the uses to which these swords may be al
piled. "Samurais are the masters of the fou