P7+Artisans+and+Merchants

__//** Artisans and Merchants ** //__ by Miles L. and Henna J. 
 * Artisans and Merchants had different lifestyles; jobs, ways of travel, and even entertainment and things they did for fun. They were both very low on the social ladder, even below Peasant Farmers. There were different types of merchants and artisans, and this made each one unique. What you will read will explain what Artisans and Merchants did and used in the Tokugawa period in Japan. It will also explain why Artisans and Merchants were so low on the social class ladder.**


 * Artisans and Merchants lived different lives; while on profession would take pride in their abilities to craft; the other profession prided themselves in being excellent salesmen. If you were an Artisan you could be a Sawyer, which is someone who made intricate cuts in the wood for roofs, so that the pieces fit together like a puzzle without nails. Or you could be a roofer, someone who put together those pieces to form a roof. Armorsmiths crafted armor for the Samurai to wear. Similar to this, Swordsmiths crafted swords, so sharp that one little knick release so much blood you felt faint, for the Samurai as well. The last type of Artisan was a carpenter, one who worked with wood. There could be many types of Merchants; tea merchants, rice merchants and many more.**


 * Merchants wore expensive silk kimonos daily. Merchant sons took drum lessons, and the Merchant daughters, who were going to get married, took music and card lessons. Merchants would often go cherry blossom viewing, take boat trips, and also take daily baths. They would also go gambling, go out into the town, visit the temple daily, and watch indoor gaming. Merchants also had sake with their nightly meal and grew plump quickly. Sake is a mildly alcoholic drink that the Japanese drink and use in their cooking. It is made from rice. Artisans usually had a more humble living. They did not wear silk kimonos, and their children did not take music and card lessons. They just simply were not as wealthy as Merchants. There were of course different types of artisans, which meant different salaries. There were Swordsmiths, Armorsmiths, Carpenters, Sawyers, and Roofers. Artisans typically owned their own shops and worked all day doing whatever it was that they specialized in doing. Overall, Merchants had the better lifestyle, but at least the Artisans were not considered parasites.**


 * To determine the status or wealth of an Artisan or Merchant, looking at the way they travel can sometimes answer the question. This is because wealthy Merchants traveled by Kago, when poor Merchants and Artisans traveled on foot. A Kago is a large box carried by four men. Inside, the floors are usually lined with silk pillows, yet the heat is miserable and uncomfortable. The bumps and curves make the ride unpleasant, sickly and dizzy. A cargo is what a Kago holds, for instance, the passengers or the goods. Merchants are the lowest class due to the fact that they a usually greedy and rich. They buy other people’s products and sell them for a higher profit, which earns them the name “Parasite.” The other word for the Merchants class is Chonin. Artisans weren’t as disrespected as Merchants, however they didn’t have a very high socials status either, and they were only one step up in the social ladder.**


 * In the Tokugawa period, entertainment was everywhere in Castle towns for Merchants and Artisans. This was because so many men populated and visited the cities that there was a large abundance of entertainment. For example, people set up booths at the side of the street for people to go and drink or eat. Another example is Kabuki theatre where people performed plays. Book stores, public baths, and other stores were popular too. Even barber shops were popular back then, as they were a common place for people to meet up and chat. Everyone was happy with this industry and people who were entertained were happy. The people who entertained them were happy with the money.**
 * There were many types of currency in the Tokugawa period. The zeni, for example, was the lowest use of coinage available. It was circular, copper, was one inch in diameter and there was a square hole in the middle. One zeni could probably buy a cup of tea, or perhaps a resting spot near a vendor’s booth. The highest use of coinage was the Chogin. It was an egg-shaped coin with a rough finish. It was 3.6 by 1.2 inches. There were gold coins, such as the oban coin, the koban, and the ichibu kin. Copper coins included the zeni. The last types of coins, copper coins, included the chogin, mama-ita, and the monme-piece.**
 * Artisans and Merchants were an essential part of the Tokagowa period because without Artisans, you wouldn’t have a roof, no woodwork, and for the Samurai, no swords. The Merchants were fairly important (even though many people considered them parasites and despised them) because without them, distribution of a product, or the selling of a product wouldn’t happen.**

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//** __Citations__ **//

Mishima, Shizuko. "Japanese Kabuki." []. About.com, 2010. Web. February 23, 2010.

Dunn, Charles J. //Everyday Life in Traditional Japan//. North Clarendon: Tuttle Publishing, 1969. Print.

Kids Web Japan. "Kids Web Japan." Kids Web Japan. Kids Web Japan. Web. Date of Access: February 23rd, 2010.

ThinkQuest Team. "Merchants and Craftsmen." []. ThinkQuest, 2000. Web. February 24, 2010.