[14] The Japanese never at any time of their history used poisoned arrows; they despised them as depraved and inhuman weapons.
[15] The general term for commoners as distinguished from samurai.
[16] The privilege at first led to great abuses. It became a common thing to employ some aged and indigent person, set him up as the head of a “branch family,” and give him for adopted son a youth liable to conscription.
[17] Conscription without lot is thus the punishment for all failures to comply with and attempts to evade the military laws.
[18] Sons of officers’ widows, or of officers in reduced circumstances, are educated at these schools either free or at reduced charges, but are required to complete the course and to graduate.
[19] Uniform does not vary according to regiments or divisions. There is only one type for the whole of the infantry, one for the cavalry, and so on (see [Uniforms, Naval and Military]). Officers largely obtain their uniforms and equipment, as well as their books and technical literature through the Kai-ko-sha, which is a combined officers’ club, benefit society and co-operative trading association to which nearly all belong.
[20] The term maru subsequently became applicable to merchantmen only, war-ships being distinguished as kan.
[21] The reader should be warned that absolute accuracy cannot be claimed for statistics compiled before the Meiji era.
[22] The yen is a silver coin worth about 2s.: 10 yen = £1.
[23] In addition to the above grant, the feudatories were allowed to retain the reserves in their treasuries; thus many of the feudal nobles found themselves possessed of substantial fortunes, a considerable part of which they generally devoted to the support of their former vassals.