Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 4.djvu/58

 from Kyōtō, or obtained office by promotion from the rank of the "Middle Elders." Five "Great-entertainers" (O-kyaku-ashirai) received and welcomed any relative of the Shōgun or of the Midaidokoro who might repair to Court, and they also had it in charge to attend to the wants of the Shōgun if he visited the Midaidokoro, or vice versa. They were usually old women who enjoyed little consideration.

All the above ladies were supposed to be entirely beyond the reach of the Shōgun's affections. Their official duties occupied them exclusively, and they were required to live and die in virgin purity. But attached to the Shōgun's household were eight "Middle Dames" (O-chiu-ro), with whom his relations might be of the closest character. An equal number were attached to the household of the Midaidokoro, and had the same title. The Shōgun, though absolutely autocratic with regard to his own Chiuro, was not at liberty to bestow his affections unceremoniously on any of the Chiuro belonging to the Midaidokoro's side. If his fancy strayed in that direction, it was necessary that he should make known the wish to the "Elders" of his own household, who, in turn, communicated with the "Elders" of the Midaidokoro, and these laid the matter before their mistress. It would of course have been most unbecoming that either the Midaidokoro or the "Elders" should place any obstacle in the way of the Shōgun's desires, but the