The Komoso Society.

disguised in the white garments of a Komosd ; and again , in the illustrations to popular Japanese novels of recent date there may often be observed representations of some member of this mysterious association . The Society ( or Fraternity , as it may well be styled ) ivas filled from the ranks of the samurai class alone , ancl entrance into it proved a means of refuge for any person who had committed a deed of bloodshed & cwhich rendered

, , it necessary for him to flee away from the territory of his feudal chieftain . Thus its numbers were recruited chiefly from amongst those who had , under the influence of intoxication , or in some way other than of malice aforethought , killed or wounded a felloAV clansman , a friend , or other person . None , hoAvever , Avas admitted AVIIO had been guilty of any disgraceful crime held to be unworthy of a samurai , —as for instance , adultery , burglary or theft .

Although its history , prior to the accession of the Tokugawa dynasty of Shoguns , be altogether unknoivn , we find that in the early part of the 17 th century certain lands were granted to the Komoso b y that family , —by Avhich act the existence of the society was formerly recognized by the then rulers of the east of the Empire . These lauds were situated , iu the province of Owari , a little to the east of the castletown of Nagoya , and slightly removed from the

highroad ( the Tokaido ) . Here was the Honji , or chief temple of the society ; but there were also Matsuji , or Branch Temples , in different parts of the country . The situations of the latter were not , hoAvever , precisely knoivn except to the Komoso themselves . Meetings were held in these Branch Temples at various intervals , and troops of Komoso were often to be seen entering some remote town or village in different localities ; but where or when they met was a profound mystery , and the morrow ' s dawn saw them leaving the place as silently as they had entered it .

The society was under the command of a Chief , elected by the general votes of the members . Under him Avere an Assistant Chief , Treasurer , and other officers , all chosen in similar manner . The Chief usuall y resided at the Chief Temple , ancl was invested with wide powers . His st yle of living and general position are said to have been equal to those of any Daimid . He had poiver of life and death over all his fellows , and was onl y required to make a report

to the Government in the event of any Komoso being put to death by his orders . The Assistant Chief mi ght act in his stead , whenever such necessity arose . The Society could never boast of very large numbers , most probably owing to the fact that a member of it could often return to his own province in a feAv years time , when the affair in consequence of which he had ori ginally fled away had been hushed up . Any one desirous of entering the Society used to

go to the Chief Temple , and there make application to be received , stating his case and giving the reason wh y he had left his feudal lord ' s domain . He was then lodged in the temple , while private enquiries Avere set on foot to ascertain the truth of his statement ; if it ivere discovered that he had committed some unworthy deed , he was rejected ancl dismissed , but if it appeared that his offence of bloodshed was not premeditated , he was admitted into the Society

with all clue rites and ceremonies . What these rites ivere is unknown , but it is allowed that every candidate was bound by solemn oath to conceal them . The distinctive dress of the Komoso Ai'as Avhite , consisting of the loose Japanese kimono ancl tight-fitting trousers . The wide trousers and upper mantle usually worn by the samurai class were never used . They carried but one long sivord . The hat Avas of bamboo , in shape resembling a large inverted

basket of circular form , Avith a small aperture to enable the wearer to see freely . This hat was never removed during a journey ; it was ivorn , too , in lodging-houses , ancl even at meals . When sleeping however , the Komosd mig ht take it off , and in the temples of the Society it could be laid aside at will . A long staff and a flute completed their equipment , and certain notes bloAvn on the latter formed one of the signs by which the members could make themselves knoAvn to their felloAvs .