Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 95

78

Notices of Japan, No. VI.

FEB.

men share in this lofty contempt for life, whether their own or another's, when they conceive duty, or the public interest, to require the sacrifice; and that,

if a siogoun possesses despotic power, there is little disposition to let him exercise it arbitrarily.

Early in the eighteenth century, the siogoun Tsunayosi, a profligate prince, who by his vices had destroyed his constitution, accidentally lost his only son, and resolved to adopt an heir, the dignity of siogoun having never been inherited by a daughter. This is a constant practice in Japan with the childless, whether sovereign or subject; but the established rule is, to select for adoption the son of a brother, or other near relation; in direct contravention of which, Tsunayosi, disregarding the claims of his nephew, fixed his choice upon an alien to his blood, the son of a mere favorite of inferior birth.

The prime minister, Ino Kamon no kami, remonstrated, alleging that a step sɔ unprecedented would exasperate not only the princes of the blood, but all the grandees of the empire. His representations proved unavailing against the fa. vorite's influence; whereupon he sought the empress, or midai. To her the minister revealed his master's illegal and dangerous design; explained the pro- bability, if not certainty, that a general insurrection would be its immediate con- sequence; and declared that, unless she could avert it, the adoption and its fearful results were inevitable. The midai-a daughter of the reigning mikado, and high-minded, as became her birth and station-meditated profoundly for some minutes; then raising her head, she bade the alarmed minister be of good cheer, for she had devised means of prevention. But what these means might be she positively refused to tell him.

Upon the day preceding that appointed for the adoption, the daughter of the 'son of heaven,' who had long been wholly neglected by her libertine husband, invited him to take sake with her; and upon his assenting, prepared a sumptuous entertainment. While he was drinking, she retired for a moment to her private apartment, wrote and dispatched a note of instructions to Ino Kamon, and then, placing in her girdle the ornamented dagger worn by women of exalted rank, she returned to the banqueting-room. Shortly afterwards, she announced her wish for a private conversation with the siogoun, and dismissed her attendants.

The Japanese annalist relates, that when they were alone, the princess ear- nestly implored her consort to grant the request she was about to prefer to him. He refused to pledge his word until he should know what she desired; and she then said: "I am assured that you purpose adopting the son of Dewa no kami as your heir. Such a step, my most dear and honored lord, must grievously offend all those princes whose claims are thus superseded; it will unavoidably provoke a general insurrection, and occasion the destruction of the empire. My prayer therefore is, that you would renounce so ruinous a design." The siogoun was incensed at such feminine interference with his project, and indignantly replied; "How darest thou, a mere woman, speak upon state affairs? The empire is mine, to rule at my pleasure. I need not female counsel, nor will I see or speak to thee more !"* With these words he arose, and was leaving the apart ment in a rage. The midai, followed, and detaining him by his sleeve, persisted with humble urgency. "Yet bethink you my sovereign lord. Reflect, I implore

Whether this lady's high birth would have saved her from divorce or not, is not said. This threat might imply only neglect.