The grand duke departed from edo on june 10, heading at the head of the imperial guard to the assembly point assigned to all the forces scheduled to act against the daimyo of nagato province. His procession consisted of approximately 2,500 men, only 500 of whom were armed and equipped in european style. A company of archers and spearmen followed the regular battalion. These organizations date back to antiquity, when military tunics were made up of parts of brightly colored fabric, and the shape of their weapons was indicative of the appearance of certain medieval warriors. Additionally, everything was impeccably clean. They marched with the order and regularity of european regiments, and had a very warlike attitude. The appearance of a group of armed men, all in search of wealth, with spears lowered and led by huge drums carried like palanquins, seemed to be a signal for the crowds of natives surrounding the road to follow suit. He falls to his knees and bows his forehead in the dust. Immediately three horsemen came forward, their entire costumes covered with what appeared to be dazzling white sleeveless cloaks. The prince is in the middle. The young prince's dignified and graceful manner, his slightly elongated face, his olive skin, and his dark eyes full of intelligence, captivated the foreign audience he considered himself most noteworthy. He was followed by a new group of armed men, placed in the same order as those before them. Finally, a considerable number of attendants, bridegrooms, and porters completed the procession. Daimyo in the japanese hierarchy is known to correspond to the great feudal title in medieval france. The lords have no hesitation, just as the upper aristocrats of old waged war against the sovereign. Retired in a formidable fortified castle, they rebel against the grand duke's orders and bend their will only before the grand duke's power. Today we are focusing on marugame castle (shikoku island), located in the inland sea. This castle has long been known to our readers as belonging to the great king kyōgoku sanuki no kami, according to a sketch by roussin, secretary to admiral jaures. Le monde illustré reproduces his wonderful paintings. Alphonse hermant. Date: 26 August 1865.
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