Through the introduction by the landlord of horse labour and ploughs—­implements with which the farmers were formerly unacquainted—­second cropping of part of the paddies has become possible.  There is an elaborate system of “progressive reduction” and “average reduction” of rents in a bad season, by which, it was explained, “the industrious tenant enjoys a larger reduction than an idle one.”  “Tenants are grouped in fives, which help one another in their work and in cases of misfortune.”  In their agreement with their landlord, tenants promise that “wrong-doing shall be mutually reprimanded and counsel shall be given one to another.”  “Again, if a tenant falls ill, has his house burnt or meets with misfortune, assistance shall be given by his fellows.”  During the war with Russia the following instructions were issued: 

Those enlisted in the army shall render their service at the cost of their lives.

Those who stay at home shall do their best, complying with the principles laid down by the Minister of Agriculture.

Relatives of soldiers at the front shall be helped and sympathised with.

All shall subscribe to war bonds as much as possible.

All shall practise thrift and economy in accordance with their social standing.

Musical entertainments shall be given up for two years.

Methods proved to be effective in cultivation shall be reported.

In the warm, cloudy days insects multiply rapidly.  Think of your brothers at the front, struggling against one of the mighty military powers of the world, and be ashamed to be vanquished by hordes of insects or masses of vegetable growth in your fields.  For the purpose of destroying insects an ample supply of oil is to be had at the experimental farm, as during last year; and payment therefor may be deferred until after harvest.

A communication to agents and managers says:  “Comport yourselves in a way suitable to the dignity of an agent of the clan.  Bear in mind the privileges and favours you enjoy, and exert yourselves to requite these favours.  Respect the name and the coat-of-arms of the clan.”  In the neighbourhood there are about a hundred families bearing the name of Homma.

FOOTNOTES: 

[158] In the three years 1916-18 the percentage of conscripts suffering from trachoma was 15.8.

[159] For farmers’ budgets, see Appendix XIII (end).

BACK AGAIN BY THE EAST COAST

CHAPTER XXII

“BON” SONGS AND THE SILENT PRIEST

(YAMAGATA, AKITA,[160] AOMORI, IWATE, MIYAGI, FUKUSHIMA AND IBARAKI)

The worst of our education is that it looks askance, looks over its shoulder at sex.—­R.L.S.