1
Three Drafts of the Charter Oath, 18682
(a) Draft by
Yuri Kimimasa
General Outline on
Legislative Matters
1.
It is requested that a system be established under which common
people may be permitted to pursue their respective callings so that
there may be
no discontent.
2.
It is necessary for the samurai and common people to
unite in carrying out vigorously the administration of economic and
financial
affairs (keirin).
3.
Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to
widen and strengthen the foundations of imperial rule.
4.
The term of
office held by qualified men [selected by the han]
(koshi) must be limited, Thereafter they must yield
their positions to talented men.
5.
All matters of state must be decided by open discussion (koron)
[with the participation of all factions on han concerned]
and must
not be discussed privately.
The
intent of the [proposed] League of the Daimyo (Shoko
Kairnei) may be announced along the lines discussed above. [It is
further
recommended that] general amnesty be announced concurrently.
(b)
Amended
Draft by Fukuoka
Takachika
A Compact
1.
An assembly
consisting of daimyo shall be established, and all matters of
state
shall be decided by open discussion.
2.
It
is requested that a system be established under which not only the
civil and
military officials, but also the common people may be permitted to
pursue their
respective callings so that there may be no discontent.
3.
The
high and low shall all unite in carrying out vigorously the
administration of
economic and financial affairs.
4.
Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to broaden and
strengthen
the foundations of imperial rule.
5.
The
term of office of those appointed [by the imperial government] must be
limited.
Thereafter they must yield their positions to talented men.
The
above may be announced as the intents. When the League [of the Daimyo] is formed, it is suggested
that general amnesty be announced concurrently.
(c) Draft
by Kido Koin
Oath
1.
An assembly
consisting of daimyo shall be established, and all matters of
state
shall be decided by open discussion.
2.
The high and low
shall all unite in carrying out the administration of economic and
financial
affairs.
3.
It is requested
that a system be established under which not only the civil and
military
officials, but also the common people may be permitted to pursue their
respective callings so that there may be no discontent.
4.
Evil practices
of the past5 shall be discarded and [all our actions] shall
follow
the accepted practices of the world.
5.
Knowledge shall
be sought throughout the world so as to broaden and strengthen the
foundations
of imperial rule.
All
3 drafts from
Lu Sources of Japanese History p.35-6