Scott Reynolds <sar@gol.com> wrote in message
news:beip62$ekg$1@newsflood.tokyo.att.ne.jp...
> On 7/10/2003 12:48 PM, Richard Thieme wrote:
>
> > Scott Reynolds <sar@gol.com> wrote in message
> > news:beidn6$qkg$1@newsflood.tokyo.att.ne.jp...
>

(snip)

> > As Eric said a couple of google searches could give you plenty of
> > information
> >
> > Here is one site that gives a good explanation
>  >
>  > http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~shimin/tennou.html
>
> Okay, so the the Emperor System is the root of social inequality and
> discrimination based on bloodlines in Japan. Got it.
>
> > Start to get the picture why the BLL is controversial?
>
> I knew they were controversial, Richard. What I wanted more info on was
> the connection between Kimigayo and douwa kyouiku. In any case, your
> links provided me with what I needed. Thanks.
>

Sorry for the sarcasm. But actually the BLL does have a good point. Here is
what Bookshelf gives on 賤　(I can't even pull up that character on IME. Is
Microsoft censoring Japanese?)

1 身分の卑しいこと。また、その者。
2 律令制で、一般の良民よりも身分的に卑しいとされた人民。陵戸・官戸・家人・公
奴婢・私奴婢の区別があり（五色の賤）、良民との通婚を許されなかった。

Kokugo Dai Jiten Dictionary. Shinsou-ban (Revised edition) ゥ Shogakukan
1988.国語大辞典（新装版）ゥ小学館 1988.

Notice that this was codified under the 律令 which also solidified the
position of the emperor.

Regards,

Richard Thieme