18
Notices of Japan, No. V.
JAN.
teaching his visitors Russian-rendered him so obnoxious to error, that when he differs from those who have better, though still very imperfect, means of informa tion, his testimony can have little weight; but upon this subject, having been almost wholly guarded by military, it is at least possible that he should be better informed than upon most others, and that such a difference may exist. These four classes constitute the higher orders of Japanese, and enjoy the especial, the envied privilege of wearing two swords, and the hakama, or petticoat-
trowsers.
Class 5 comprehends the upper portion of the middle orders of society. It con- sists of inferior officials and professional-that is to say, medical-men; persons deemed respectable, or, to borrow an expressive French phrase, comme il faut, and permitted to wear one sword and the trowsers.
Cass 6 comprises the lower, or trading portion of the middle orders; as mer. chants, and the more considerable shopkeepers. In this class, regarded with ineffable disdain, are found the only wealthy individuals in Japan. Far from being, like their superiors, forced into extravagant ostentation for the purpose of impoverishment, these persons are not allowed to imitate that ostentation. The degree of that splendor they may display is strictly limited, and they can spend their money only in those luxuries, comforts, and pleasures, which their superiors are obliged to forego, in order to support their station. The degrading step by which alone, if he aspire to ape his superiors, the richest merchant can, as a nominal, evade these sumptuary laws, has been already noticed; and even when thus indulged with one sword, never may he, under any circumstances, aspire to
the trowsers.
.8
38 p
their
Class 7 is composed of petty shopkeepers, mechanics, and artisans of all des- criptions one trade, of which presently, expected-and including, strange to say, artists. The general appreciation of this class it is not easy to fix, as every sepa- rate genus, and even species, appears to be differently valued, according to the different occupations and trades; as, for instance, we are told that goldsmiths and 16. Bu painters rank much above carpenters and blacksmiths; but whether any difference thority be made between artists and housepainters does not appear.
Of the
Class 8 consists of the peasantry, and day-laborers of all kinds. former, the greater part appear to be, in fact, the villains or serfs of the landed proprietors; and even those who make some approach to the condition of an English farmer, or rather of a continental metayer-that being the Japanese mode of letting land-are said to be so heavily burdened with contributions, that indi- gence keeps them in a state of complete degradation.
To these recognized eight classes might be added a ninth, to locate the excep tion from the seventh above alluded to. This exception consists of the tanners, curriers, and all unhappy beings connected in any way with the leather trade. From some peculiar prejudice, originating probably in the Sintoo doctrine of defile- ment by contract with death, these dealers in hides or leather are the very pariahs, or outcasts of Japanese society. They are not permitted to dwell in the towns or villages with other men, but inhabit villages exclusively their own, whence they are called into the towns only to discharge the functions of executioners and gaolers, in which, if they need assistance, the tea-house proprietors are bound to supply it. They are not allowed to pollute an inn or public house with their presence, but, if in need of refreshment on a journey, they are served with what
mall tra
der.