THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
(Sa-maryo) and of the Right (U-maryo), and each important district throughout the Empire had its military division (gundan). All having been originally soldiers, no hereditary claim to carry arms could be set up. Physical qualifications alone received consideration. One-third of the nation's able-bodied males constituted the army, and these being divided into three equal parts, one part served in the capital as palace guards; one had its headquarters in Kiushiu, forming a legion for the protection of the southern coasts against Korean raiders, or for service abroad; and one part garrisoned the provincial posts. As to tactical formation, five men made a section; two sections, a company; five companies, a battalion; two battalions, a regiment, and ten regiments, a division. Six horses were assigned to a company, the best riders and archers being selected for cavalry duty. A division consequently consisted of six hundred mounted men and four hundred foot soldiers. Service was for a period only, and during that period taxes were remitted, so that military duties always found men ready to discharge them. Thus the hereditary soldier—afterwards known as the samurai or bushi—did not yet exist, nor was there any such thing as an exclusive right to carry arms. Weapons of war were the property of the State; stored away in times of peace, and served out periodically when required for fighting or for training purpose.
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