is a truly fearful state of things. The appellations of sovereigns, like the sun and moon, will float afar: the names of those of the Imperial line[1] will last for ever, like unto Heaven and Earth. Such being our opinion, we announce as follows:—'Do ye all, from those of the Imperial line down to the Ministers, the Daibu, Omi, Muraji, and Tomo no Miyakko, who do Us service, (in short) all persons of whatever Uji[2] [One book has 'royal subjects of whatever name'], give ear to what We say. With regard to the form of your service, We now abolish the former offices and constitute afresh the hundred bureaus. We shall, moreover, grant grades of rank and confer official dignities.[3]
Let the local Governors who are now being despatched, and also the Kuni no Miyakko of the same provinces, give ear to what we say. In regard to the method of administration notified last year to the Court Assembly,[4] let the previous arrangement be followed, and let the rice-lands which are received and measured be granted equally to the people, without distinction of persons.[5] In granting rice-lands the peasants' houses should adjoin the land. Those whose houses lie near the lands must therefore have the preference. In this sense receive Our injunctions.
In regard to commuted taxes,[6] they should be collected from males (only).
Labourers should be supplied at the rate of one for every (XXV. 36.) fifty houses. The boundaries of the provinces should be examined and a description or map prepared, which should be brought here and produced for Our inspection. The names of the provinces and districts will be settled when you come.
With respect to the places where embankments are to be constructed, or canals dug, and the extent of rice-land to be
- ↑ 祖子, lit. ancestors and children. But I strongly suspect that 祖 is a mistake for 皇 imperial.
- ↑ House of nobles.
- ↑ This edict seems intended as a final severance of titles of various kinds from the offices they nominally represent. Official rank (位) and grade of office (官) do not invariably correspond, though they do in a general way. A Daijin, for example, is not necessarily first rank, though he will doubtless hold high rank, second or third at least.
- ↑ Chōshū. The reference is to the Chōshūshi named above, XXV. 23.
- ↑ See above, XXV. 17.
- ↑ Of other things than rice.
