Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 4.djvu/177

 Debasement of the coinage by the Shōgun Tsunayoshi (1680–1701) contributed to the disturbance of society, for the immediate result was a sharp and sudden appreciation of the price of rice, in which commodity the incomes of military men were paid, so that the latter saw themselves apparently enriched and were betrayed into all sorts of extravagance. The most conspicuous exponents of luxurious habits were the seneschals (rusui-yaku), to whom was entrusted the charge of the Yedo mansions of the feudal chiefs during the latter's absence every second year. These men not only supervised all the business of the mansion, but also acted as media of communication between the Shōgun and the fiefs. The nature of their functions and the wealth they amassed would have made them important figures under any circumstances, but they attracted an exceptional share of public attention by organising meetings which, though nominally for the purpose of discussing the affairs of the fiefs, became in reality occasions for rival displays of pomp and splendour, and were among the most conspicuous social features of the eighteenth century.

Another change that began to be notable in the Genroku era (1680–1704) was the acquisition of large fortunes by tradesmen. The annals of Yedo allege that one or two mercantile plutocrats lived in every street, and that not a few samurai associated themselves secretly with these traders, thus increasing the latter's facilities. It