THE TOKUGAWA COURT
when he proceeded to Yedo for investiture, was accompanied by Muragaki Sadayu, a man of exceptional craft and perspicacity. Muragaki proved so useful in the capacity of spy that the office of chief detective became hereditary in his family under the euphemism "Head of the Park Guards." Objects of odium and contempt to their brother samurai, these O-niwa-ban nevertheless rendered most valuable service to the Court, and there are many instances of their remarkable cleverness in assuming disguises for the purpose of enrolling themselves in the household of feudal barons whose doings the Shōgun desired to scrutinise. They were the only spies regularly employed by the Court. It is evident that with the "petition-box" as a medium for receiving secret complaints[1] and suggestions, and the "park guards" for investigating their truth, the Shōgun's knowledge of men and things outside the Court circle was not by any means so circumscribed as several historians have asserted.
Three bodies of guards were constantly on duty at the Palace,—outer guards, inner guards, and page guards. To belong to one of these corps was counted a high distinction. On the other hand, the discipline was most rigid. Absence involved confiscation of property, and if a captain of guards failed to be present at 10 a. m. on his day of duty, he forfeited his salary for the year, while an ordinary guardsman coming late to his post
- ↑ See Appendix, note 7.
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