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The Mikado is the fountain of honour, but the titles which he confers are given not only to men of the sacred race, but likewise to secular persons—to the princes of the empire and to men of note, (p. 152)—this being done at the suggestion of the secular monarch or on the condition of money payment. All ranks or titles are divided into six (6) classes.
The title of the 1st Class is Dai Seo Dai Sin. ”The person who is honoured with this title is esteemed so great and sacred, that they believe that his soul becomes a Cami, or god, the moment of her departure from the body. For this reason the Mikado seldom bestows it upon anybody. The dignity of Quanbuku belongs likewise to this class. Quunbuku signifies the second person in the ecclesiastical court and the Prime Minister in all affairs relating to the empire. This title, says Kaempfer, is assumed by the secular monarch, or is given to the presumptive heirs. Quanbuku is the Dairi’s Vicegerent and Prime Minister in all affairs relating to the empire.
2.—The following three titles belong to the second rank, Sa Dai Sin, U Dai Sin, and Nai Dui Sin. They are never conferred on more than three persons at court.
3.—The Dai Nagon and Tsunagon make up the third rank. These two titles are always annexed to certain employments.
4 and 5.—The titles which belong to the 4th and 5th rank are Seonagon, Tsunagon, Tsiuseo, Seosjo and Sidsiu. Both of these classes are very numerous and are divided into different ranks. The whole ecclesiastical court assume the title of Kuge, by way of distinction from the Gege, that is to say the Laity and inferior sorts of people.
6.—The titles of the 6th class are Tai U, Goi and others.
When the secular Monarchs took the Government of the Empire into their hands the Dairi reserved to himself the prerogative of conferring titles in general, but with his consent the secular Emperor may confer two ranks Maquandairo and Cami, these being equivalent
