Kanao Ogawa, 'Imperial Court Tea Master: The Meiji and Taisho "Courts" as Seen by a Low-Ranking Official', Sogensha

This book is a record of the author's experiences (over 25 years starting from 1908) as a court attendant (a low-ranking official involved in various miscellaneous duties at the Imperial Household Ministry), written later in life and limited to what he could recall with certainty. However, it seems he was not entirely free from lapses in memory.

This book is a reprint of a work originally published in 1951 under the title 'The Court', supervised by Hideya Kawanishi of Nagoya University. After World War II, during the crisis of the imperial system, many books were published to appeal to the 'human' side of the Emperor, but these were written by journalists or close aides. This book is valuable because it is seen through the eyes of a low-ranking official who actually served by the Emperor's side.

Reading this book reveals that the court system changed over time. The court lady system followed the order of Naishi-no-kami, Naishi-no-suke, Gon-no-naishi-no-suke, Naishi-no-jo, Gon-no-naishi-no-jo, Myobu, Gon-no-myobu, Nyoju, Gon-no-nyoju, and Zoshi. Among these, no one ever held the position of Naishi-no-kami; Naishi-no-suke were appointed by imperial decree, those from Gon-no-naishi-no-suke to Myobu were appointed by the administration, Nyoju were appointed by administrative officials without the Emperor's direct involvement, and Zoshi were hired staff (not government officials).

Positions from Naishi-no-suke to Gon-no-naishi-no-jo were to be filled by members of the Dōjō nobility (families with hereditary qualifications to enter the court), and each position was determined by family lineage from the start. In the Showa era, the positions of Gon-no-naishi-no-suke and Gon-no-naishi-no-jo were abolished, and the staff was reduced to about one-sixth, simplifying the system.

While Naishi-no-suke and Gon-no-naishi-no-suke were also meant to serve the Empress, that meaning was completely lost in the Taisho era as the imperial couple's relationship became modernized. Even in the Taisho era, family lineage was valued, but all of them were women who had graduated from girls' schools. Also, during the Meiji and Taisho eras, those from Naishi-no-suke to Myobu were given 'Genji names' based on their personalities, but these names disappeared in the Showa era.

Various episodes are recorded, such as the Meiji Emperor's deep concern that the Otsu incident would become an international issue with Russia, leading him to seclude himself at the Hama-rikyu Gardens until the incident was resolved. Another is the correction of the false rumor that the Taisho Emperor, suffering from severe neuralgia and brain disease, used the imperial rescript as a telescope to look around during the opening ceremony of the Diet.

Regarding the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the author notes that the arguments of Navy Minister Gonnohyoe Yamamoto (then a captain) were so intense that even Prince Ito and Foreign Minister Mutsu could not counter his pro-war stance, and the Imperial Conference continued for two days. The author writes that he heard that since then, explanations about the 'West First Room and Second Room of the Court,' where the Imperial Conference was held, were no longer given to visitors. This was shortly after the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution, and it is said that His Majesty was making efforts to ensure it did not affect constitutional government.

After the Meiji Emperor passed away, many high-ranking officials visited the palace, but the author says he was particularly drawn to General Nogi. Even after the coffin-sealing ceremony was completed, the night watch duty was rotated every 30 minutes, but General Nogi served without fail even on days he was not on duty, and on those days, he never ate the bento provided to those on duty (supplied by Ginza's Masu).

On the morning of the Imperial Funeral on September 13, General Nogi accompanied his wife for the first time to bid a final farewell to the remains. General Nogi was the chief of reception for the funeral, but he did not appear for a long time, causing concern for the ceremonial officials, until he finally appeared looking more dignified than ever before. After the meal, the author was handed an envelope by General Nogi to be delivered to either Baron Ishiguro or Count Ohara, and General Nogi then left the palace.

A solemn ceremony was held at 11:00 PM, and shortly after 12:00 AM, an army lieutenant colonel rushed in as if a major incident had occurred. At 2:00 AM on the 14th, when the funeral procession was about to depart, the sound of bells rang through the late-night streets, and an extra edition was released reporting the ritual suicide of General Nogi. I believe this is also a valuable record.

This book provides a glimpse into the state of the court from the Meiji era to the early Showa era, and I think it is worth reading for those interested in history and court customs.