The 21 articles of the Sounji Temple

A type of family precept from the late Middle Ages. It is said to have been written by Ise Shinkuro Nagauji (Hojo Soun), but there is no definite proof. However, its creation can be traced back to at least the early Edo period. Its distinctive feature is that, whereas family precepts are generally admonitions created by the head of the family for his family and descendants, this one instead contains teachings and regulations for his retainers, and has the character of provincial law. The contents begin with Article 1, which talks about reverence for the gods and Buddha, and go on to plainly and concisely detail the daily life and servanthood of retainers, such as early to bed and early to rise, being careful of fire, and the need for training in both the arts and martial arts, making it an extremely down-to-earth and practical family precept. It is a fitting family precept for a Sengoku daimyo who grew up through ability.

[Toshiaki Ohkubo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中世後期の家訓の一種。伊勢新九郎長氏(いせしんくろうながうじ)（北条早雲(ほうじょうそううん)）の作と伝えられるが確証はない。しかし、成立の時期は少なくとも江戸初期までさかのぼることができる。その特徴は、一般に家訓が家長によって一族・子孫を対象として作成された訓戒であるのに対し、むしろ家臣への教訓・統制という内容をもち、分国法的な性格をあわせもつ点にある。内容は第1条の神仏への崇敬から始まり、早寝早起きや火の用心、文武両道の鍛錬の必要性など家臣の日常生活や奉公上の心得を平明、簡潔に記しており、きわめて庶民的で実際的なものである。実力によって成長した戦国大名にふさわしい家訓ということができよう。

［大久保俊昭］

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