Feudal Kamakura; Outline Sketch of the History of Kamakura from 1186 to 1333

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1907. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ART, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE IN THE KAMAKURA AGK Any attempt to compile a thoroughly satisfactory and comprehensive account of the industrial history of the Kamakura age is foiled at the very outset by many difficulties. One of the chief of these is the fact that the materials furnished by historians and writers generally are meagre in the extreme, for all ancient authorities have treated the subject most perfunctorily or dismissed it in a few short and contemptuous sentences. When it is remembered that in days of yore traders were regarded as despicable creatures with paltry aims and low moral standards, it is hardly surprising that native authors paid but scant attention to recording commercial matters. This marked tendency to look down upon members of the merchant class as persons to be merely tolerated, but not admitted to the ranks of respectable subjects, was probably brought about owing to the unique constitution of the Japanese social fabric, the underlying spirit which led to the organization of the peculiar feudal system, and the predominance of aristocratic militarism and of the artistic spirit. Under these circumstances it is only possible to present a brief sketch of the prevailing economic conditions, based upon the very fragmentary references found scattered here and there in various books; but as half a loaf is better than no bread at all, it is hoped that even this will prove interesting to students of Japanese medieval institutions. As is stated elsewhere, Kamakura in the twelfth century was a small insignificant village inhabited only by a few farmers and fishermen; but just as the advent of Commodore Perry changed Yokohama from a little hamlet into the foremost seaport of Japan, so the rise to power of Minamoto Yoritomo transfo...