9
There remain, to complete Dr. Kaempfer’s category of the Japanese dominions, the two above-mentioned islands of Iki and Tsussima, which were conquered from the Corea.
Under each of the above-mentioned names of provinces Dr. Kaempfer enters more or less into detail with regard to the formation, climate, productions and subdivisions of the district he is describing (see pages 70 to 81). The entire revenue of Japan he states to be 2,328 man and 6,200 kokf, according to the above distribution. Another estimate from a Japanese author makes the revenue of the country to be rather less—that is to say, 2,257 mankokf. The former estimate, at the value of 16 shillings per koku would represent in our money a revenue of £18,628,960.
With respect to the nature of the Government of the country the author shortly states that “the whole empire is governed by the emperor with an absolute and monarchical power and so is every province in particular by the Prince who, under the Emperor, enjoys the government.” The emperor can disgrace or exile even the greatest princes, or can deprive them of their lives and dominions, according to his pleasure. Of the Daimios, the princes of Satsuma and Kanga, respectively, arc said to be the most powerful in the empire.
The lords of smaller districts, called Siomio, such as those of Goto and several others, are only permitted to reside for six months of each year in their hereditary dominions. The other six months they must pass at the Imperial Court, where their wives and families are dedetained all the year round as hostages. Some of these smaller districts are Crown lands or have been taken from the Princes by way of punishment. One of the chief political maxims of the Court has always been to lessen the power of the Daimios.
The 6th Chapter of the 1st Book is devoted to the author’s opinion respecting the origin of the Japanese. He gives two stories or legends tending to the view that the Japanese are of Chinese descent, which two stories he immediately afterwards proceeds to refute, expressing
