The Perception of Work in Tokugawa Japan

Work is not an activity with solely economic aims and meaning; it also embraces social and ideological meanings which reflect the ideas of society concerning the politics, religion and kinship prevalent in the era. At the same time, the actual 'form' of work is dictated by economic and technological factors. Ishida Baigan and Ninomiya Sontoku, popular thinkers of the Edo period, both acted as key channels through which ideology and economy were amalgamated the meaning of work identified, and intellectual expression, given to it. This book explores the contrasts and similarities between these two figures and concludes that they acted as intermediaries through which elements of management and long-term vision were incorporated into the concept of work.