The statement that the empress was attended only by “vestals who had never beheld a man” is disproved by a short study of the volumes of poetry, amorous and otherwise, written by them, and sill quoted as classic. As to the standard of virtue in those days, I believe it was certainly not below that of the later Roman empire, and I am inclined to believe it was far above it.
In the court at Kioto, besides games of skill or chance in the house, were foot-ball, cock-fighting, falconry, horsemanship, and archery. The robust games of the military classes were hunting the boar, deer, bear, and smaller game. Hunting by falcons, which had been introduced by some Korean ambassadors in the time of Jingu Kogo, was almost as extensively practiced as in Europe, almost every feudal lord having his perch of falcons.
Fishing by cormorants, though a useful branch of the fishermans industry, was also indulged in for pleasure. The severe exercise of hunting for sport, however, never became as absorbing and popular in Japan as in Europe, being confined more to the profession of huntsman, and the seeker for daily food.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
