Buraku Problem Q&A
Many journalists, researchers and students from abroad come to visit us at the BLHRRI. Although they come from different parts of the world, they come to us to learn more about Buraku problems and ask for much information. Among the many questions asked us, we picked out those most frequently asked in these occasions, and will try to answer them as a new series of"Q&A"in this news letter. We hope this will be a help in understanding Buraku problems.
Q What kind of people were classified as Burakumin?
A According to the latest research, a part of the peasants, craftsmen and other various classes of people in addition to the discriminated people in general at that time, were included and such a social structure was legally and systematically fixed.
Let's see how a man of power managed people in those days.
As the accompanying illustration shows, in the TOKUGAWA era the social structure was based on a levied tax mainly from the agricultural class since these people were major.
We can see a part of the difficult situation of farmers in those days through a historically based televised play. In those days, 2 million people of the SAMURAI class managed the other 28 million people. That is to say, one SAMURAI ruled over 14 other lower class people.
Such a social formation made the SAMURAI class fear that these people might unite and oppose the men of power. Accordingly, the ruling class formed a hierarchy classified as the illustration succinctly illustrates. As a results the social outcasts called by the derogatory terms "ETA" (extreme filth) or "HININ"(non human) were placed at the very bottom and the hierarchy was legally and systematically fixed.
"ETA" and "HININ" class people engaged in jobs such as the arrest and execution of criminals, etc. They were restricted even to the type of clothing that could be worn. It caused antagonism among the outcast class people, peasants and townsmen. The severe social system of feudal times is the origin of a discriminatory consciousness against the Burakumin.
Japanese NOH plays and KABUKI plays are traditional performing arts. The style of NOH was completed in the MUROMACHI period of feudal time by KANAMI and ZEAMI, who were discrimination people. And KABUKI was created by a lady who was called IZUMO NO OKUNI. She also lived at the bottom of society. Further, famous Japanese gardens such as those in GINKAKUJI temple (silver pavilion) and in NANZENJI temple were created by a discriminated class of people called KAWARAMONO.