Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 4.djvu/170

 derstood that feuds might otherwise prove interminable.

The difference between the customs of Yedo and Kyōtō is illustrated by the fact that in early Tokugawa days every display of effeminacy was dubbed "Kamigata style,"—"Kamigata" being the popular name for the Imperial capital; and the samurai's conception of the mercantile class may be gathered from his habit of applying the epithet "tradesman's fashion" to all luxurious tendencies. The samurai, indeed, struggled resolutely against the spread of civilian customs. Long after any renewal of the ancient inter-fief fighting had become improbable, he accustomed himself to live on one meal daily, and continued to practise the feat called igamono-gui, which consisted in eating anything that came to hand, however unpalatable. In the absence of war he sustained his love of fighting by quarrelling with his comrades. Thus, despite the severe veto mentioned above, formal challenges were given, the issue being decided with the sword. Such duels received the significant name haashi-ai (mutual ending). It is on record that two samurai of Owari, having agreed to settle a difference, were about to set out for the appointed place, when rain began to fall. They proceeded under the same umbrella, chatting pleasantly, and, arriving at their destination, engaged in a combat fatal to both. There were also more unsightly incidents. Not infrequently a commoner was slaughtered at