On Court Finance during Early Middle Ages in Japan

Abstract

The main revenue sources of the Court in the early middle ages in Japan were Shokoku-Noumotsu (諸国納物), Jogo (成功) and money contributed by the Bakufu (幕府). Most people recognized that of those three Shokoku-Noumotsu was adequate to for financing public ceremonies. The reveune was sent to the offices of Court by Kuni-Zassho (国雑掌), a subordinate of the Kokushi (国司), and was received by the Nenyo (年預) of these offices. A transition in the system of collecting Noumotsu from Kokuge (国下) to Kyoge (京下), which took place in the late 12th century, meant that giving and taking Noumotsu between the provinces and the capital changed to the manipulation of funds. It was done by a financier and a central government minor official acting like a financier, having nothing to do with the situation in the provinces. On the other hand, the offices organized Benpo-no-ho (便補保) in various places, in order to collect Noumotsu smoothly. Few office were successful, however, most of them failed and were reduced to a nominal existence losing the power to generate revenue sources. For the Court the contribution of money and Jogo by the Bushi (武士) of Bakufu were important revenue sources, as well. As long as the Bushi was happy with the official ranks and posts given them by the Court, they agreed that the ceremonies performed at Court were necessary and participated accordingly, therefore, the Court could count on diverse support from the wealthy Bakufu. Such a trend in financing public ceremonies was engineered by minor government officials, having full knowledge of the decorum of the Court and stocking some funds. They always had contact with a financier like Sanmon (山門) and others. When they wanted to raise funds for management of the provinces or Jogo, they acted themselves like financiers. Moreover, offering their knowledge and talents, they became intimate with the Bushi of Bakufu and played an important part in the Bakufu's economic power and governmental power vis-a-vis the Court.