Jul. 28th, 2014 01:29 am
Ginnikan Ep. 2: Drama Notes
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earth_colorsEpisode 2: "The Pride of a Merchant"
Episode Synopsis. Matsukichi continues to learn and do his errands as Ikawaya's apprentice. Things also seem to be looking up for the shop when they manage to strike an exclusive deal with the high-end restaurant, Ukifune. Later on, a bad rumor about the shop begins to circulate among the merchants in Tenma, and reaches Matsukichi's ears. He learns from one of their customers, Yamashiroya (Shibuya Tengai), owner of a dry goods store, that Ikawaya is rumored to be secretly supplying Ukifune with high-quality agar from Izu. Because of this, Yamashiroya feels insulted. If this rumor is true, then, it means Ikawaya is keeping secrets from other merchants, and practicing prejudicial treatment among its clients. Matsukichi of course denies this, saying that Ikawaya is selling only one kind of agar from Fushimi, Kyoto, where he apprenticed for 3 years. Embarrassed about doubting Ikawaya, an apologetic Yamashiroya asks Matsukichi to not tell anyone about what he said. The young apprentice, remembering his Samurai teachings of keeping oaths to protect one's credibility, promises to keep it to himself. Later on, this baseless rumor affects the shop's business, with many of its usual clients turning away from their product. Not yet aware of the reason, Wasuke, Zenjiro and the other employees are wondering why. Only Matsukichi knows, and feels torn. As an apprentice, it is his duty to inform them, but as a Samurai's son, he also has to keep his word...
Drama Notes:
Binbogami. This deity of poverty is said to take the form of a dirty, skinny old man whose favorite food is miso. It inhabits houses and bring poverty and bad luck to its inhabitants. Just like the opening scene in this Episode 2, at the end of every month, it is the duty of a shop's head clerk in Osaka, to exorcise this god by luring it out of the shop using the smell of baked miso, and throwing the miso (with the god presumably trapped inside) into the river. Above pic is a statue of a binbogami holding a fan or uchiwa, which he uses to fan the smell of miso towards him.
(info: wiki) (pic: onabepon)
Jin si lu. It is known as "Kinshiroku" in Japanese, or "Reflections of Things at Hand" in English. This is a 12th century anthology or compilation of philosophies of earlier masters and scholars, synthesized and illustrated (by way of calligraphy) by influential Neo-Confucian Chinese scholar, Zhu Xi. As told in this episode, the Samurai may be poor when it comes to business matters and calculations, but are well-read when it comes to Confucian teachings and ideals. The "Kinshiroku" is one of the books they abide in. It teaches them the substance of the Way; essentials of learning, self-discipline, etc.
(info: wiki)
Yagō. I'm sure you have noticed the use of the term "-ya" at the end of a shop's name. Merchants in this drama also have "-ya" at the end of their surnames, like "Matsubaya" and "Yamashiroya", indicating they (or their predecessors) probably took their house/shop's name as their surnames. This practice is called the "yagō". As wiki explains, yagō "literally meaning "house name", is a term applied in traditional Japanese culture to names passed down within a guild, studio, or other circumstance other than blood relations. (...) The term most often refers to the guild names of kabuki actors, but is also applicable to the names artists take from their masters or studios, names taken from one's business, and a few other similar circumstances. The ya (屋) of yagō, also often seen at the end of a yagō name, means "house", "roof", or "shop", and helps to illuminate the origins and meanings of the term. (...) During the Edo period, merchant houses took yagō, which functioned as surnames."
(info: wiki)
Noren. For the Edo period merchant, the noren is not just a simple shop curtain that displays the shop's name and emblem. A noren symbolizes the shop itself, its name and pride in business. That is why in this episode, when Matsubaya said, "When you neglect the trust/credit with other merchants, then you better take down your noren." Taking down the noren, means you lose your credit. Also, in the latter half of the episode, when Zenjiro said he will protect the shop's noren with his life, and pointed at the the curtain, he meant the shop's credibility or name.
(info: fyoshie, Japanese Women Writers: A Bio-critical Sourcebook) (pic: wiki)
The issue of trust and credibility among merchants. If you're wondering why the people in this episode are making a big deal about Ikawaya's alleged prejudicial business dealings:
The Three Friends of Winter. Regarding the apprentices' names: pine (matsu), bamboo (take), and plum (ume) are known as the Three Friends of Winter. Unlike other plants, the pine and bamboo do not wither during winter, while the plum is the first one to bloom. Together they symbolize "steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience." In Japan, these three are common motifs on New Year greeting cards.
(info: wiki) (artwork: Tang Mingyi)
The Merchant House spotlight: Detchi or Apprentice. As told on page 38 of The Development of Japanese Business: 1600-1973: "The detchi was recruited through recommendations from fellow merchants and often came from peasant families but also from other merchant Houses. (...) The detchi worked for room and board but received some gifts on festive occasions (...). He was not systematically instructed and was during the first years exclusively used for menial jobs and errands. Formal education consisted mainly of arithmetic in the form of the abacus..." Along with the tedai (shop clerk), he learns "by imitating, and obeying the banto (head clerk) and the head of the House." (Next topic in drama notes: The Tedai)
Ginnikan's episode index: (link)
Episode Synopsis. Matsukichi continues to learn and do his errands as Ikawaya's apprentice. Things also seem to be looking up for the shop when they manage to strike an exclusive deal with the high-end restaurant, Ukifune. Later on, a bad rumor about the shop begins to circulate among the merchants in Tenma, and reaches Matsukichi's ears. He learns from one of their customers, Yamashiroya (Shibuya Tengai), owner of a dry goods store, that Ikawaya is rumored to be secretly supplying Ukifune with high-quality agar from Izu. Because of this, Yamashiroya feels insulted. If this rumor is true, then, it means Ikawaya is keeping secrets from other merchants, and practicing prejudicial treatment among its clients. Matsukichi of course denies this, saying that Ikawaya is selling only one kind of agar from Fushimi, Kyoto, where he apprenticed for 3 years. Embarrassed about doubting Ikawaya, an apologetic Yamashiroya asks Matsukichi to not tell anyone about what he said. The young apprentice, remembering his Samurai teachings of keeping oaths to protect one's credibility, promises to keep it to himself. Later on, this baseless rumor affects the shop's business, with many of its usual clients turning away from their product. Not yet aware of the reason, Wasuke, Zenjiro and the other employees are wondering why. Only Matsukichi knows, and feels torn. As an apprentice, it is his duty to inform them, but as a Samurai's son, he also has to keep his word...
Drama Notes:
Binbogami. This deity of poverty is said to take the form of a dirty, skinny old man whose favorite food is miso. It inhabits houses and bring poverty and bad luck to its inhabitants. Just like the opening scene in this Episode 2, at the end of every month, it is the duty of a shop's head clerk in Osaka, to exorcise this god by luring it out of the shop using the smell of baked miso, and throwing the miso (with the god presumably trapped inside) into the river. Above pic is a statue of a binbogami holding a fan or uchiwa, which he uses to fan the smell of miso towards him.
(info: wiki) (pic: onabepon)
Jin si lu. It is known as "Kinshiroku" in Japanese, or "Reflections of Things at Hand" in English. This is a 12th century anthology or compilation of philosophies of earlier masters and scholars, synthesized and illustrated (by way of calligraphy) by influential Neo-Confucian Chinese scholar, Zhu Xi. As told in this episode, the Samurai may be poor when it comes to business matters and calculations, but are well-read when it comes to Confucian teachings and ideals. The "Kinshiroku" is one of the books they abide in. It teaches them the substance of the Way; essentials of learning, self-discipline, etc.
(info: wiki)
Yagō. I'm sure you have noticed the use of the term "-ya" at the end of a shop's name. Merchants in this drama also have "-ya" at the end of their surnames, like "Matsubaya" and "Yamashiroya", indicating they (or their predecessors) probably took their house/shop's name as their surnames. This practice is called the "yagō". As wiki explains, yagō "literally meaning "house name", is a term applied in traditional Japanese culture to names passed down within a guild, studio, or other circumstance other than blood relations. (...) The term most often refers to the guild names of kabuki actors, but is also applicable to the names artists take from their masters or studios, names taken from one's business, and a few other similar circumstances. The ya (屋) of yagō, also often seen at the end of a yagō name, means "house", "roof", or "shop", and helps to illuminate the origins and meanings of the term. (...) During the Edo period, merchant houses took yagō, which functioned as surnames."
(info: wiki)
Noren. For the Edo period merchant, the noren is not just a simple shop curtain that displays the shop's name and emblem. A noren symbolizes the shop itself, its name and pride in business. That is why in this episode, when Matsubaya said, "When you neglect the trust/credit with other merchants, then you better take down your noren." Taking down the noren, means you lose your credit. Also, in the latter half of the episode, when Zenjiro said he will protect the shop's noren with his life, and pointed at the the curtain, he meant the shop's credibility or name.
(info: fyoshie, Japanese Women Writers: A Bio-critical Sourcebook) (pic: wiki)
The issue of trust and credibility among merchants. If you're wondering why the people in this episode are making a big deal about Ikawaya's alleged prejudicial business dealings:
Merchants are members of a guild and are strict when abiding rules. The rumor that Ikawaya is not being fair with its business dealings is apparently a big no-no, breaking their most important rules: maintaining mutual trust with each other, and honesty. According to The Development of Japanese Business: 1600-1973, p. 37, "Each member was protected against (unfair) competition, nobody was permitted to by-pass him in the meticulously regulated flow of goods (...) Living closely together in the same street and quarters, the guild members watched over each other, controlled quality and prices, and in this way had a stabilising influence on trade."
The Three Friends of Winter. Regarding the apprentices' names: pine (matsu), bamboo (take), and plum (ume) are known as the Three Friends of Winter. Unlike other plants, the pine and bamboo do not wither during winter, while the plum is the first one to bloom. Together they symbolize "steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience." In Japan, these three are common motifs on New Year greeting cards.
(info: wiki) (artwork: Tang Mingyi)
The Merchant House spotlight: Detchi or Apprentice. As told on page 38 of The Development of Japanese Business: 1600-1973: "The detchi was recruited through recommendations from fellow merchants and often came from peasant families but also from other merchant Houses. (...) The detchi worked for room and board but received some gifts on festive occasions (...). He was not systematically instructed and was during the first years exclusively used for menial jobs and errands. Formal education consisted mainly of arithmetic in the form of the abacus..." Along with the tedai (shop clerk), he learns "by imitating, and obeying the banto (head clerk) and the head of the House." (Next topic in drama notes: The Tedai)
Ginnikan's episode index: (link)
