21
respectively to Duke or Count and Knight. The word Cami, used in this sense, must not be confounded with the same word meaning a deified soul.
The persons composing the ecclesiastical court wear a habit peculiar to themselves, and different from that worn by secular persons. The habit in question is thus described: (p. 153) Long trowsers covered by a large gown, a long train which they trail after them on the ground, their heads covered with a black lacquered cap. Some have a broad band of black crape or silk; others have a sort of lap before the eyes. The women’s dress at the court of the Dairi is likewise different from the costume of the secular women. But chiefly the Dairi’s twelve wives are dressed in sumptuous gowns interwoven with flowers of gold and silver, and so large and wide that it is difficult for the ladies to walk in them. Not only the Kuges but likewise many of the fair sex have acquired considerable accomplishments and reputations as poetical and historical writers. Formerly all the almanacks were made at court. The court are great lovers of music.
The Imperial consort occupies the same residence with the Dairi, the other wives living in separate palaces.
The Japanese reckon from two eras or epochs; from the beginning of the reign of Synmo Tenno or B. C. 660: the second and commonly-used once is called Nengo. It takes in a period of only a few years, generally less than 20, and is made use of in almanacks, proclamations, etc. They likewise reckon by periods of 60 years. (p. 156.)
The twelve celestial signs of the Japanese are:—(1) The mouse, (2) the ox or cow, (3) the tiger, (4) the hare, (5) the dragon, (6) the serpent, (7) the horse, (8) the sheep, (9) the monkey, (10) the cock or hen, (11) the dog, and (12) the bear. The same names are given and in the like order to the twelve hours of the day and to the twelve parts into which each hour is divided. What they call day is the interval of time between sunrise and sunset. This is divided into six equal parts, as is likewise the night, so that the length of an hour varies each day. The Japanese have five elements, wood, fire,
