139
supremacy, but to strengthen it in every way. The same respect was to be paid to the relatives of the Mikado and to the old court aristocracy. This was contrary to the policy of the former Shoguns, especially of the Ashikaga family, who seem to have treated the Mikado with rudeness or contempt. Secondly, as toward their superiors, so toward their inferiors were the Shoguns to behave with courtesy and consideration. All insult and tyranny was to be avoided, the weight of power was not to press harshly. This maxim is kindred to that one which is the keynote of the Polities of Aristotle, and the neglect of this, as shown in insolence to inferiors, was the rock on which the governments in nearly all ancient communities struck. This caution is perhaps the best proof of the consummate knowledge Iyeyas had of human nature and of his greatness as a master of statecraft. Another recommendation of Iyeyas was that the place of government of the lesser Daimios should be frequently changed. The motive alleged for this was for the prevention of misgovernment; but the real reason undoubtedly was that they might not acquire local influence, and so endanger the power of the Shoguns. It was similar in its purpose, though not in the means employed, to the policy adopted by William the Conqueror in portioning out the territories of his barons among several counties. In England, this plan was completely successful; in Japan it failed, because the Shoguns never dared to enforce this measure in the case of the greater daimios, who were the only ones to be dreaded. The best feature of the policy of the Shogunate was torbe the endeavour to maintain peace in the Empire as far as possible. “To assist the people, says Iyeyas,” is to give peace to the Empire.” Japan harrassed for centuries by intestine feuds, was finally to be at rest under the strong government of the Tokugawa Shoguns; just as to the Roman world, wearied out with constant strife, the establishment of the Empire under Augustus gave for centuries peace. These are the leading principles handed down by Iyeyas to his successors. Feudalism and
