Japan and the Japanese

PRINCES AND NOBLES. 199
one half the year, those of the southern and western provinces dur-
ing the other half. They travelled in great state, some of thorn
with not less than four or five thousand men in their suite, and, on
their arrival and departure, gave great entertainments. The prince
of Firando, though one of the lesser class, was always attended in
his journeys by at least three hundred men, and entertained -in his
two houses at Jedo more than a thousand persons. What with
their households, the clothing of their followers, their women, of
whom they entertained a great number, their children,
the prince
of Mito, the emperor's uncle, had fifty-four boys, and daughters
still more numerous, presents and festivals, their expenses gener-
ally exceeded their incomes ; and, besides, they were often required
to furnish workmen, at the demand of the emperor, for building new
castles, temples, or anything he might undertake. The honor of a
visit from the emperor was very highly esteemed. lie seldom paid
more than one to the same house. No expense was spared, and
years were spent in preparations, which often ruined those who
enjoyed this honor. The visit made, by the emperor to the Dairi
at Miako, once in seven years, was a still more magnificent affair.
The emperor maintained on the estate of each noble a secretary,
in fact a spy, sent nominally to assist and advise him in the man-
agement of his affairs. Those selected for this service were generally
persons educated at court, and of known fidelity, who, before
their departure, signed with their blood a promise to keep the emperor
fully informed of the affairs and actions of the prince to whom
they were sent.
The marriages of the nobles were arranged by the emperor. The
wife thus given was entitled to
great respect. Her sons alone suc-
ceeded to the lordship, which, in case she had none, was generally
transferred to some other family. The children by the numerous
concubines of the nobles had no share in the inheritance, and were
often reduced to beggary. Besides concubines, free indulgence
was allowed with the courtesans maintained by the lords of each dis-
trict for public use. The lawful wives lived in splendid seclusion,
attended by troops of female servants. Of women's rights the
Japanese nobles had no very high idea. Not only the strictest
chastity was expected from them, but entire devotion to their hus-
bands, .-.nd abstinence from any intermeddling with business or pol-