The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-04

each representing n syllabls-sre used TO ex-
press Japanese words The author does not
tell us whether this syllabary'is Identical with
that OF thoCoreans
III
The feudal system can certainly be traced
70 the time Of Yoritomo. who was appointed
Shotgun In 1902 and undoubtedly the germs
OF Il had long previously existed. II was thor
ouobly reorganized. however. by 1eyasu. who.
in 1903, founded, as we have said. the last dy-
nasty OF shoRuns. ny this administrator all
daipnyos or territorial lords were divided into
two classes. the fudai and the tozama The
former term was used to designate those who
we're considered the ynssals OF the ruling To-
kuRawa family. The tozama daimyos were
considered equal in rank to the fudai. but were
not. in fact vassals Ofthe former there were
originally III. and Of the latter 81 The i've
leading tozama daimyos were designated rs
guests. and whenever they paid visit to the
capital OF the Shotgun they were met by en-
yoys and conducted to their residences. Be-
sides these greater lords. Ieyasu established
an inferior kind OF feudal nobility which was
termed Hatomoto under the naRl These
seemed TO have numbered about 1000; they
had email holdings assigned to them. and
their income varied greatly. It was the GUS
tom to employ these minor nristocrats In OIL
cial functions under the Shotgun. Still another
class OF gentry were the Gokenin. numbering
about 8 900. and socially inferior to the Hato-
moto These were mostly employed in sub
ordinate administrative positions. Beneath
these were the ordinary fighting men or COM
mon samurai. who were the retainers Of the
daimyos and OF the shoguns. These were
descendants OF the soldiers OF the time
OF Yoritpmo 1102, who appointed shi-
ugo or military governors to reside
with company OF troops in each
province for the purpose OF keeping the
peace. Already. at tho beginning OF the sew
enteenth century. they had attained a great
superiority over the common people. and
Ieyasu encouraged them in their supercil-
iousness Legally the people we're divided
into four classes. arranged in the following
order: Samurai. farmers. artisans. and mer-
chants. In his so caled Legacy Ia species Of
codel. Ieyasu expressly declared: The sa-
mural are masters. OF the other three classes.
Farmers, artisans, and merchants may not
behave in a rude manner toward samurai;
q samurai is not to be interfered with in cutting
down a fellow who has behaved to him in n
manner other than 10 expected" Again he
SAYS: 81 girded sword is the living soul OF a
samuraL" During the two and half CEN
turtles OF feudalsm which followed. tho samurai
did not fail to use all the privileges which were
Especially in the large cities where great
numbers OF them were gathered. and whore
idleness led them into endless evil practices
their arrogance and domineering ways made
them an intolerable nuisance. Neverthe-
less. It is acknowledged by DR.. Murray
and by all other writer's on this sub
ject. that nearly all that was good. and
high minded. and scholarly in Japan was to
be found among the ranks OF these foudal re-
tanners. 1t 10 to them that the credit is given
for the great changes and improvements which
have been initiated since Japan was opened
up to foreigners. They were the students who
went out into the world to learn what Western
science had to teach them. They wore the
pioneers In a return to central authority. in
the experiment OF q representative govern
ment. and in the adoption Of the principles
OF freedom and federation to which the
country Is now committed. To them Japan
owes its ancient as woll as its modern
system OF education. It Is not, indeed. pre-
tended that the old stores OF literature are
due to them. but all the modern DEVELOPMENT
In newspapers. magazines. history. political
science. and legal aud commercial codes is
to be traced to the adaptabiity and energy
OF the old samurai class.
The samurai had the privilege OF carrying
two swords. The principal one tkatAnal was
about four feet long. nearly straight but
slightly curved toward the point. the blade be-
ing thick and ground to a keen edge 1t was car
ried in q scabbard thrust through tho belt on
the left side with the edge uppermost Besides
the kAtana. the samurai carried short sword
or dagger. about % inches long called waki-
zashi. The quality OF the Japanese long sword
is Q matter OF national pride. and the feats
which have been accom- pllshed By It are al
most beyond belief. To cleave at one blow
three human bodies laid one upon another.
and to cut through pile OF copper coins with
out nickinR the edge were common tests
From these exploits It Is manifest that the
education OF young samurai must have in
volved thorough training In athletic and
martial exercises. 1t appears that the latter
part OF every school day was allotted to this
purpose. The youth was taught TO ride a
horse TO shoot with the bow. to handle a spear
and especially to be skilled In the etiquette
and use OF the sword. They went through
again and again tho details OF the commission
OF hari-kari so that. whom the time for its ac-
tual enactment came. they were able to meet
the reality without a tremor.