If He Has A "Smart" Son, Who He Thinks Will
Command The Respect Of The People, He Appoints Him; But If Not, He
Chooses The Most Suitable Man In The Village.
The people are
called upon to approve the choice, but their ratification is never
refused.
The office is not hereditary anywhere.
Benri appears to exercise the authority of a very strict father.
His manner to all the men is like that of a master to slaves, and
they bow when they speak to him. No one can marry without his
approval. If any one builds a house he chooses the site. He has
absolute jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases, unless (which is
very rare) the latter should be of sufficient magnitude to be
reported to the Imperial officials. He compels restitution of
stolen property, and in all cases fixes the fines which are to be
paid by delinquents. He also fixes the hunting arrangements and
the festivals. The younger men were obviously much afraid of
incurring his anger in his absence.
An eldest son does not appear to be, as among the Japanese, a
privileged person. He does not necessarily inherit the house and
curios. The latter are not divided, but go with the house to the
son whom the father regards as being the "smartest." Formal
adoption is practised. Pipichari is an adopted son, and is likely
to succeed to Benri's property to the exclusion of his own
children. I cannot get at the word which is translated
"smartness," but I understand it as meaning general capacity.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 355 of 417
Words from 97279 to 97538
of 115002
