THE INCOME OF A MINISTER OF STATE FROM THE LAND[I].  The speaker began by inheriting 3 cho (7-1/2 acres).  He farmed a cho of rice field and about a third of a cho of dry land.  With rent from the part he let, with gains from the part he farmed and with interest on 2,000 yen spare capital, he had at end of the year a balance of 370 yen.  With the money gained from year to year more and more land was bought.  At the time of his talk with me he owned 8 cho.  His net income, after deducting cost of living, was 1,200 yen (including 500 yen from the land that was let).  In the future, when he farmed 7 cho (15-1/2 acres), he believed that his balance would be 4,500 yen, which is the salary of a Governor!  Or was, until the rise in prices when Governors’ salaries were raised about another 1,000 yen, with an additional allowance of from 600 to 400 yen in the case of some prefectures.  See also Appendix III.

“GETA” [II].  The geta is a flat piece of hard wood, about the length of the foot but a little wider, with two stumpy pieces fastened transversely below it.  The foot maintains an uncertain and, in the case of a novice whose big toe has not been accustomed to separation from its fellows, a painful hold by means of a toe strap of thick rope or cotton.  To persons unused from childhood to the special toe grip and scuffle of the geta, it seems odd to associate with this difficult clattering footgear the idea of “luxury.”  But no pains are spared by the geta makers in choosing fine woods and pretty cords.

BUDGETS OF LARGE PROPERTY OWNERS [III].  Two landlords, A and B, kindly allowed me to look into their budgets: 

A
                                yen
80 cho of rural land 320,000
20 cho of rural land 60,000
20,000 tsubo of city land 130,000
Negotiable instruments 150,000
Dwelling and furniture 150,000
                              _______
             Total property 810,000
                              =======

EXPENDITURE OF PAST YEAR

yen
House 2,100
Food and drink 1,350
Clothing 1,000
Social intercourse 1,500
Public benefit 800
Miscellaneous 1,000
Taxes 5,000
______
12,750
======

B

owns 62 cho 4 tan and receives in rent 623 koku 7 to.  Members of family, 11; servants, 8.

EXPENDITURE OF PAST YEAR