CHAPTER IV.

The tycoon, Daimios, and aristocracy.

The Government of Japan consists of an oligarchy of feudal princes, called Daimios, wielding absolute authority in their respective provinces, but subject to the general control of one of their number, (selected from one of three great families), called the ‘Tycoon,’ who, assisted by a ‘Gorogio,’ or ‘Great Council,’ presides over the affairs of the state in the name of the ‘Mikado,’ or ‘Spiritual Emperor,’ its supreme head.

The office of Mikado is apparently the cause of most of the disturbances which agitate the country.  Its temporal importance lies in possessing the power of issuing decrees, bestowing titles, and delegating authority to others; and princes discontented with the Tycoon are constantly intriguing against his legitimate influence with the Mikado.  For instance:  an attempt was made in 1864 by a powerful coalition, headed by Choisiu, prince of Nangato, to obtain possession of the Mikado’s person.  This was only prevented after a severe struggle by the bravery of the Tycoon’s guard, to whose care the palace and its inmates were entrusted.  During the conflict a large portion of the sacred city of Miako was burnt.

[Illustration:  A Daimio paying A state visit.]

The Tycoon only leaves Yeddo when affairs of state require his presence elsewhere.  His palace is situated in the heart of the city, and is surrounded by grounds several miles in circumference, and enclosed by a deep moat.  It is there that he receives the compulsory visits of the grandees of the empire, one of whom, on the point of being ushered into the audience-chamber, is shown opposite, in his robes of ceremony, and attended by a sword-bearer, in token of his high rank.  The bonze, or priest, who precedes him, does not impart any religious signification to the visit, as priests commonly act in the double capacity of spy and master of the ceremonies.  The screen, which forms the background of the illustration is worthy of attention, as its subject is taken from the Japanese mythology, and represents the great sun-god from whom Ten-zio-dai-zin, the patron goddess of the empire, sprang.

In public, these oligarchical princes are invariably surrounded by all the pomp of feudal state, and when they travel are escorted by large bodies of retainers.  At Kanagawa, which adjoins the settlement of Yokohama, the foreigner has frequent opportunities of witnessing their processions as they pass to and fro along the ‘tokaido,’ or ’great public road,’ when they are going on their compulsory visits to Yeddo from their own country palaces.  Nor is much danger attached to this, as the passing of Daimios whom it would be dangerous to meet on the tokaido, is always notified by the authorities to the consul.  On witnessing a Daimio’s procession for the first time, it is hard to realise that it is not a scene