The Emperor marries one wife, who is the Empress. He is allowed by the laws of the country to take twelve concubines, who are generally the daughters of the poorer nobility. The throne can be, and has frequently been, occupied by a female. The Emperor is supposed to receive, as an allowance from the Shiogoon, 100,000 kobangs, equal to $350,000 per annum. This he receives from the Yedo government, but he probably has a large revenue from land in the “Go ki nai” or “Go ka koku,” or five provinces. He is said to complain of the duties from foreign trade not being paid into his treasury, inasmuch as when the trade was conducted formerly by the Portuguese at Sakkye, the Emperor received the duties; but as Yokohama is out of the Gokinai, the Shiogoon prefers that the duties should flow to Yedo. These five provinces are frequently spoken of by the writers of the sixteenth century as the Tensee—heavenly or sacred soil. They are Yamashiro, Yamato, Setsu, Kaawdsio, and Idzumi. The whole empire is spoken of, as in China, as all under heaven—“Tenka.”
Two officers in the Emperor’s palace are appointed from Yedo—two Hattamoto, or inferior barons—to superintend the disbursement of money, and to keep accounts of the money paid by the Shiogoon’s government. These men have fifty soldiers under them. Under them are nine “Toritsungi,” generally men of some rank and position.
The Emperor’s own private establishment consists of the following officers:
1. Makanye Kashira, generally a Hattamoto, who keeps the accounts of the imperial table and pays the money.
2. Kye mon tskye, called “Kimsakye,” two Hattamoto, who go to buy the provisions for the palace.
3. Go zembang, six men, whose business is to examine the Emperor’s food.
4. Shuri siki, five men, to look after the buildings; generally Miako men of old families.
5. Makanye kata, six men, whose duty is to say what, and how much, is to be purchased for the palace.
6. Gim miakoo and Itamoto—of the former three, of the latter seventeen—head cooks and ordinary cooks.
7. Kangay bang, keepers of the keys, seven men.