The 17 Articles of the House Code of the Asakura Clan

 Law #1:

The Asakura Family must not appoint anyone to the rank of Elder (a senior official). But instead, utilize the services of men of ability and loyalty without regard to the positions they hold.

Law #2:

Do not give a command post or an administrative position to anyone who lacks ability, even if his family has served the Asakura family for generations.

Law #3:

Post intelligence agents (metsuke) in both near and distant provinces, even if the world may be at peace. In so doing you can spy on the conditions of these domains without interruption.

Law #4:

Do not excessively covet swords and daggers made by famous masters. Even if you can own a sword or dagger worth 10,000 pieces (hiki, equivalent of 10 mon), it can be overcome by 100 spears each worth 100 pieces. Therefore, use the 10,000 pieces to procure 100 spears, and arm 100 men with them. You can in this manner defend yourself in time of war.

Law #5:

Refrain from frequently bringing from Kyoto actors of the four schools of Nō (Komparu, Kanze, Hōshō, and Kita) for performances. Instead use the money needed for that purpose to select talented local actors of sarugaku, and train them in the basic elements of Nō (shimai) for the perpetual enjoyment of this province.

Law #6:

Performances of No shall not be given within the castle at night.

Law #7:

Do not send messengers to Date and Shirakawa (areas in present-day Fukushima famed for breeding excellent horses) to procure fine horses and falcons on the pretext that is part of the duties of the Samurai.  Naturally special considerations may be given to horses and falcons arriving from other areas.  However, after three years, they must be passed on on to some other family.  To hold on to them for a long time will inevitably bring forth regret.

Law #8:

Members of the Asakura family must, by their own example, cause all the retainers to adopt quilted cotton clothing nunoko as ceremonial dress at the New Year.  For this purpose, one’s family crest must be affixed.  If a member of the family wishes to display his wealth by dressing extravagantly, rural Samurai from every corner of this province will be forced to follow suit.  However, knowing that, they will plead illness and absent themselves from their duties for one year and then for two years… In the end, the number of Samurai who pay homage to the Asakura family will be reduced.

Law #9:

Those retainers who lack special talent or positions, but who are steadfast must be treated with compassion and understanding.  Those who are effeminate may still be used as attendants or messengers if their demeanor is outstanding, and they must not be dismissed lightly.  However, if they lack both, then it is useless to retain them.

Law #10:

If you treat those retainers who have served you faithfully in the same ways as those who have not, how can the former be encouraged to continue serving you faithfully?

Law #11:

Do not appoint a ronin (masterless Samurai) from another province as your keeper of records, unless you are pressed for such services.

Law #12:

Do not allow men with special talent whether monks or laymen to serve other families.  However, this proscription does not apply to those who have no desire of serving the Asakura family and only wish to peddle their skills.

Law #13:

Regrettable is the practice of selecting an auspicious day or considering a lucky direction in order to win a battle or take a castle, and even shift the time and date accordingly. No matter how auspicious the day may be, if you set sail your boat in a storm or confront a great host alone, your effort will come to naught. No matter how inauspicious the day may be, if you can discern between truth and falsehood, prepare for orthodox and surprise attacks secretly, be flexible in all situations, and depend on a good stratagem, then your victory is assured.

Law #14:

Three times a year, select men of ability and honesty, and send them on inspection tours of the province. They must listen to the views of the common people and farmers, and collect information concerning incidences of misgovernment. It will also be advisable for you yourself to go on an inspection tour, provided you wear a light disguise.

Law #15:

Do not permit any castle other than that of the Asakura to be built in this province. Move all high‑ranking retainers without exception to Ichijōgatani (the Asakura castle). Permit their deputies (daikan) and lower officials (gesu or shitazukasa) to remain in their districts and villages [to manage their estates].

Law #16:

When you pass a temple, monastery or town dwelling and the like, rein in your horse for a moment.  If the place is attractive, give some words of praise.  If the place is damaged, show your concern by expressing your sympathy.  These people who consider themselves unworthy will be overjoyed by the fact that you have spoken to them.  They will repair the damages expeditiously and pay continued attention to preserve the beauty.  In this way, without effort on your part, you can have your province beautified.  Remember that all of these depend on your own resolve.

Law #17:

When a suit is brought to you for your direct decision, do not bend an iota between reason and unreason. If you hear that an official has acted arbitrarily [for private gain], and that fact is well established, you must impose the same penalty on the offending official which was originally meted out to the losing party by him. If you can govern your own domain judiciously and compassionately, there is no need to fear whatever mischief may be committed by the lawless bands of warriors from other domains. If a rumor is spread that there exists in your domain favoritism and unfair discrimination and that rules and behavior codes are violated, other domains may intervene in your affairs.

17 Article Series

Examining EACH of the 17 Laws of the Asakura Clan

Toshikage left these Final Words:

A famous monk once said that “a master of men must be like the two Buddhist deities of Fudo and Aizen. 

Although Fudo carries a sword, and Aizen carries a bow and arrows, these weapons are not intended for slashing or for shooting, but for the purpose of subjugating devils. 

In their hearts, they are compassionate and circumspect. 

Like them, a master of Samurai must first rectify his own way, and then reward his loyal subjects and soldiers and eliminate those who are disloyal and treacherous. 

If you can discern between reason and unreason and between good and evil and act accordingly, your system of rewards and punishments is deemed compassionately administered. 

On the other hand, if your heart is prejudiced, no matter how much you know the words of the sages and study the texts, they all come to naught. 

You may observe that the Analects of Confucius contains a passage saying that, “a gentleman who lacks steadfastness cannot command respect.”  Do not consider that the term “steadfastness” represents only heavy-handedness.  It is essential that you conduct yourself in such a way that both heavy-handedness and leniency can be applied flexibly as the occasion demands.

It will be of no value to you if you take the above articles lightly.

I, now a member of a Buddhist order, began my career as a young man and alone. By a determined effort, miraculously I became lord of this domain. Day and night, without closing my eyes, I have made plans. I have preserved in my ears the words of those who are well known in their crafts. I have commanded the soldiers, and now our domain is free from turmoil.

If my descendants will adhere to these precepts, obey and consider them as something akin to the teachings of the great deity, Hie Hachiman, the province can be preserved and the Asakura name can be maintained.

If there is anyone at the end of our lineage who will conduct himself capriciously, he may not live long enough to regret it.

NOTE:

With great respect, the Asakura House Code here was translated by Sato Shinichi et. all, from Documents on Mediaeval Legal and Institutional History, Vol.3, Bukekah (Laws of Military Households), Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten, 1965. This was further translated into English and appeared in Japan: A Documentary History written by David J. Lu.

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