Footnote 101: [(return)]
The second book of Confucius.
Footnote 102: [(return)]
Ashikaga, third dynasty of Shoguns, flourished from A.D. 1336 to 1568. The practice of suicide by disembowelling is of great antiquity. This is the time when the ceremonies attending it were invented.
Footnote 103: [(return)]
A bâton with a tassel of paper strips, used for giving directions in war-time.
Footnote 104: [(return)]
See the story of the Forty-seven Rônins.
Footnote 105: [(return)]
No Japanese authority that I have been able to consult gives any explanation of this singular name.
Footnote 106: [(return)]
White, in China and Japan, is the colour of mourning.
Footnote 107: [(return)]
The principal yashikis (palaces) of the nobles are for the most part immediately round the Shogun's castle, in the enclosure known as the official quarter. Their proximity to the palace forbids their being made the scenes of executions.
Footnote 108: [(return)]
A Japanese removes his sword on entering a house, retaining only his dirk.
Footnote 109: [(return)]
In Japan, where fires are of daily occurrence, the fire-buckets and other utensils form part of the gala dress of the house of a person of rank.
Footnote 110: [(return)]
Oishi Chikara was separated from his father, who was one of the seventeen delivered over to the charge of the Prince of Higo.