Merchants were originally considered a low class in Japanese society but grew more powerful over time. As castle towns developed, artisans and merchants inhabited them, with merchants being the wealthiest residents. Coinage systems helped merchants operate, though standards varied between locations. Ukiyo-e woodblock prints gained popularity during the Edo period, often depicting scenes of daily life and entertainment.

1. ARTISANS AND MERCHANTS World Cultures Japan Daily Life Presentation By Neel R. and Colleen D.

2. Merchants in the Japanese Society They were considered a very low class in Japanese society. They added no value to the economy. They sold goods that were made by others to make money. They traveled in passenger boxes known as “kagos” because they were very wealthy. Eventually, the merchant class grew to a position of more power and influence. While merchants were successful, the samurai became poor.

3. How merchants were related to castle towns There was an exchange merchant who acted as a channel of access for merchants and craftsman. He organized the sale of rice and other products of the area. As castle towns grew, artisans and merchants began to inhabit them. Merchants were the wealthiest class to live in castle towns. Stores were established along the road between Edo and castle towns.

4. The Coinage Coinage helped merchants operate. Coins were made of gold, silver, copper, and iron. The coinage was not the same throughout Japan. Gold was used in Edo, and silver was used in Osaka and Kyoto. The coin with the least value was made of copper and called the “zeni”. 1000 zeni equaled a rectangular gold coin known as the ichibu kin.

5. Ukiyo-e Prints Gained popularity during the Edo Period (1603-1868) Woodblock prints with image prints on them Ukiyo-e prints with Kabuki actor images were sold at Kabuki theaters The images were usually of town life and entertainment A famous practitioner, Katsushika Hokusai, used woodblock prints to fill new life into old tradition of scenery painting

6. Conclusion Artisans made goods that people used for daily life activities Merchants are one of the lowest classes of the Japanese society People did not like merchants because they sold goods made by other people to make money Merchants were the wealthiest class of castle towns The coinage was difficult to make because it required four metals Artisans and merchants continue to produce and sell goods