Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Thewayoflifeforthemerchantistobefaithfultohislord,whohasguidedhim
along the correct way, and not to forget duty and gratitude to his parents who have
brought him up, and who, by enduring poor food and poor clothing, have made the
family prosperous for future generations.
A less moralistic, but nonetheless representative code is suggested by Saikaku, one of
whose characters prescribes as follows for making money:
Early rising
10%
Devotion to the family business
40%
Working aft er hours
16%
Thrift
20%
Good health
14%
The following, he declares, will militate against the beneficent operation of the above
combination:
1. Expensive food and women; silk
kimonos
every day.
2. Private carrying-chairs for wives; music or card lessons for marriageable daughters.
3. Drum lessons for sons of the house.
4. Football, miniature archery, incense-appreciation, poetry contests.
5. Renovations to the house, addiction to the tea ceremony.
6. Cherry-blossom viewing, boat trips, daily baths.
7. Spending nights on the town, gambling parties, playing indoor games.
8. Lessons, for townsmen, in sword-drawing and dueling.
9. Temple visits, and preoccupation with the next world.
10. Becoming involved in the troubles of others, and standing surety.
11. Litigation over reclaimed land, and participation in mining projects.
12.
Sake
with the evening meal, excessive pipe-smoking, unnecessary trips to Kyoto.
13. Sponsoring charity wrestling; excessive contributions to temples.
14. Carving small articles during working hours; collecting gold sword-fittings.
15. Familiarity with actors and pleasure districts.
16. Borrowing money at more than eight percent per month. All these are more deadly
than cantharides or arsenic.
