JAPAN 50 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Edo Period, Proverb, Filial Piety
Document Summary
Stresses merchant values and suggests techniques for achieving wealth in the new competitive capitalistic economy of the edo period. Japan"s eternal storehouse suggests techniques for achieving wealth in the new economy ingenuity, thrift, diligence, honesty saikaku = cleverness/quickness. Mitsui kuroemon divided his store into departments (first department store) contradictory text: reveals how to get money, but questions its validity as a goal criticize worship of money. All goodness gone from tea: it is better to be poor than wealthy by dishonest means honest, steady, and frugal urban commoner. In the past, on credit, now cash down (1:4) simplicity is gone - everyone wants what they don"t have people are too busy seeking exotic things when simple beauties are adequate. A merchant looks ugly in fine silks and looks smarter in homespun material; stay true to your class. Even samurai without servants shouldn"t dress like ordinary people.
