The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-19
honor of the Samurai was

redeemed by committing haIa-kiri. Taught
this from earliest childhood suicide lost half
its terrars.
The code Of honor of the Samurai was
high but peculiar; devotion, personal de-
votiOn TO the military chic! was he sole and
only motive. Chiyalry as we understand it
and as It prevailed III England and Europe
few centuries ago mas never known in
japan. | mean chivalry in the sense of the
care and protection of women, of their
rescue when unlawfully held or the cham
pionship of beauty in distress. All this
was utterly unknown. Indeed If II became
in any way necessary for the sake Of his
honor or that OF his lord the Samurai would
sacrifice no; only the affection but the honor
of his wife or sister. He regarded such a
sacrifice as a terrible bu. necessary mis-
fortune, and the woman submitted IN un-
protesting but often dreadful mental an
guish.
The spear and halberd were used skill
fully by the SamuTai women, who were
taught to defend the castle in time Of fire
or siege if their services were required.
Fencing they all learned, and the ladies of
the imperial palace dODned a regular uni
form upon such occasions, which consisted
of heavy black broadclOth coat with the
imperial crest worked upon it in white, a
pair of ful-kilted trousers, a stiff black cap
bound with white, and he spear had a
cover OF the same broadcloth edged with
white.
Military domination began its rise very
early in the history OF Japan. In % b. G.,
Suire MikadO divided the empire int four
military departments. The ancient Japan
ese instead of the terms now in use mean
ing "fle. squad, company" counted as
follows: Five men constituted a 'go, 4"
two "go" made ''kua," five "kua" a ''tai"
and So on. The regular army and the six
guards (the flower of the Tegiment) during
times of peace lived in koto, while the
remainder of the military class lived in OF
about the castles Of their feudaI lords. For
nearly seven centuries this system lasted,
until in 1872 it died, and the new order of
things was inaugurated.
Before the westerniZing Of the War De-
paTtment a battle was frequently decided
by personal encounter. It opened with a
volley Of arrows and general engagement.
Frequently the commanders of the oppOs-
ing armies engaged each other in com bat.
Under these circumstances the Tetainers on
either side stood by and gave 70 assistance
beyond encouraging shouts and cheers 10
their respective chiefs.
When 4 general wished to engage the
commander of the opposing army he shouted
out the name OF his tOemau, who responded
in the same manner. While this was going
on the armies simply siackened their efforts
until at the end of the combat they were
frequently spectators only
The triumphant general deeapitated his
unfortunate enemy, and raising the head
alOft claimed the victory. Sometimes a
whole battle was thus decided, the sOldiery
having scarcely struck a blow or having
really engaged at all. The army OF The de-
feated general never tried to avenge their
chiefs death at the time or to retrieve his
overthrow. etiquette required that battle
must be again sought at favorable oppor-
tunjty.
Now all this is changed and the army is es-
tablshed upon the most modern principles.
The German system of CONSUMPTION is now
p.actced, and all Japanese subjects of
whatever rank or standing, from the high
est 10 the lowest, become couscripts at 90.
The recruits are drawn by lottery, as of
course there are more than the War Depart
ment could possibly manage. The lowest
standard of height accepted is feet l.
The recruit must serve three years with the
active army and four in the first reserve,
except in special cases.
In addition to the old diet of fish, rice and
vegetables pork, beef and bread are served
both to the soldiers and marines now.
Students attending schools or colleges have
certain special privileges accorded them,
and scholars of the Normal School need
serve only six months in the active army.
The japanese army is drilled. clothed
ana equipped upon the new improved
French method. AT present there is lust
one serious difficulty that the japanese
Government has TO overcome, and though
apparently tritling item, it is in reality q
very important one, Tor 10 is a question of
fOolgear. 1t has been found that upon long
marches the stiff leather boot produces sore
feet among these men so little accustomed
TO anything cOntning upon the foot. They
suffer so much that not only is the pain and
discomfort very great but the march is
seriously retarded.
On the other land the waragi or grass
sandal is so quickly worn out that on long
marches an average of three pairs day is
required for each man, and it would be I'M
possible 10 carry sufficient grass eavers to
keep up with the demand.
Within the last few months the Govern
ment has been considering sort of COM
promise between the European boot and
the straw sandal, but so far no conclusion
has been arrived at.
The Japanese soldier, though small, is
firmly built and muscular, and his march,
ing powers are phenomenal. In the great
Satsuma rebellion forced marches of sixty
miles were made in twsnty-four hours,
To-day Japan could place in the field
10000 men who have been under drill for
at least one year. Owing to the noun
famous country the infantry divisions
largely outnumber the cavalry, and the
corps Of engineers is much larger than in
most armies.
HELEN GREGoRY-FLEsHER, MA.