Earthenware seat - Kawarakeza

Japanese: 土器座 - かわらけざ

A merchant's guild that made and sold earthenware in Yamato during the Muromachi period. Earthenware was produced in various places, including Fukakusa, Kyoto, but it is this guild that gives us the first glimpse into the organization of the producers. During the Bunmei era (1469-87), the guild had a total of 12-13 members, and was divided into two groups, the Red Earthenware Group and the White Earthenware Group, depending on the product. Red earthenware was used for tableware, and white earthenware for tableware or lamp plates. The head of the guild was called the Konokoube or Sakute, while the general members of the guild were called Zako. Both groups were subordinate to the two temple priests, Ichijo-in and Daijo-in, who held the exclusive position of head priest of Kofuku-ji Temple, and were exempt from labor and other duties, while the elder members of the Red Earthenware Group were given privileges such as manor land, but also performed the duties imposed by the temple.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

室町時代の大和で土器を作り販売していた商人の座。土器は京都深草をはじめ各地で生産されていたが，生産者の組織のあり方等が記録上うかがえるのはこの座についてである。メンバーの総数は文明年間(1469‐87)には12～13人で，その製品によって赤土器座，白土器座があった。赤土器は食器に，白土器は食器または灯明皿等に用いられた。座の統轄者は兄部（このこうべ）または作手，一般座衆はこれに対し座子と呼ばれた。両者ともに一乗院，大乗院という興福寺別当の地位を独占的に有する両門跡に従属し，人夫役等の諸役を免除され，赤土器座の兄部は荘園の所領を給されるなど特典を与えられる一方，その課する役をつとめていた。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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