The distribution of spoils excited discontent among the soldiers, who now began to lose all interest in the cause for which they had fought, and to murmur privately among themselves. “Should such an unjust government continue,” said they, “then we are all servants of concubines and dancing-girls and singing-boys. Rather than be the puppets of the Mikados amusers, we would prefer a shogun again, and become his vassals.”
Many of the captains and smaller clan-leaders were also in bad humor over their own small shares. Ashikaga Takauji took advantage of this feeling to make himself popular among the disaffected, especially those who cling to arms as a profession and wish to remain soldiers, preferring war to peace. Of such inflammable material the latent traitor was not slow to avail himself when it suited him to light the flames of war.
Had the Mikado listened to his wise counselor, and also placed Kusunoki in an office commensurate with his commanding abilities, and regarded Nitta as he deserved, the century of anarchy and bloodshed which followed might have been spared to Japan.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
