Captain F. Brinkley

“ The greatest of the territorial nobles received the title of prince; the smallest, that of baron. The practice was also inaugurated of bestowing titles on men of merit without regard to their original social status. There are no life titles. ”

“ Note 14.—There are many evidences that the supply of rice was found insufficient in the Tokugawa epoch. At one time (1643) the brewing of sake (rice-beer) was limited; at another (1644) the making of all cakes or confectionery that contained rice was forbidden. In 1660 farmers were not allowed to use rice as a staple of diet, and in 1818 the conversion of rice-fields into sugar-plantations was declared illegal. Yet the production ought to have sufficed for the population of the time. In 1688 the yield was twenty-five and three-fourths millions of koku ”

“ Note 10.—This hand-clapping custom is common on occasions of congratulation among actors, keepers of tea-houses connected with a theatre, and professionals of all kinds. One may often observe that a party of such persons, arriving at or leaving a railway station, clap hands in unison with those that have come to greet them or to bid adieu. ”