Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/137

In 1871 the system of conscription may be said to have first been introduced into Japan. Anterior to that date the organization of the Imperial army had been for many centuries based upon the principles of the feudal system. Some thousand years ago, however, feudalism was unknown in the history of the empire, which was divided into ken (prefecture) and gun (counties), and there was no class distinction of shi (feudal vassals) and no (farmers). They were all equally liable to military service. By recalling this old system of administration, and at the same time introducing the advanced principles of conscription as adopted in Europe, a new army system closely resembling conscription was organized. In the feudal times the Imperial army consisted of 400,000 families of shizoku, or the followers of the feudal lords (daimyos), who each kept as many retainers as his finances would permit. A large number of non-combatants, such as surgeons and treasurers, were included. Such was the standing army of those times. If, however, we allow for two or three male members—such, perhaps, as brothers—in the families, feudal Japan would possibly have 800,000 to 1,200,000 shi.

The new system—that of quasi-conscription—was first experimentally put into force in the five provinces of Tamashiro, Yamato, Kawachu, Izumi, and Settsu; and it was only in 1873 that the law of conscription, in its proper sense, was promulgated and had its full force throughout the empire.

The Imperial scheme was at first to organize a standing army of 400,000 men, which would constitute twelve shidan (divisions) or six army corps; but in practice it was only found possible to create a small army of 40,000 on a peace footing and 75,000 on a war footing. In this year (1873) the military academy was established, and several French officers were invited and entrusted with the care of the military education.