Ishi

Japanese: 井司 - いし

An official who managed and operated irrigation water in the Middle Ages and early modern times. Those who performed similar roles to the Iji were also called Imori, Ibugyo, Igyoji, Ikeji, Ikemori, etc. However, it seems that there were cases where Iji, Imori, and Ibugyo each had different duties. For example, the Izumi Province Otori Shrine Ryukicho from 904 (Engi 4) states that "the negi was made Iji and the Iku was made Imori." To smoothly manage and operate irrigation water, one must have thorough knowledge of the water and be impartial and selfless. This is illustrated by the fact that when the Iji of the north and south Shimoi of the Yakushiji temple were appointed in October 1550 (Tenbun 19), they searched for and appointed "talented people."

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中世･近世において灌漑用水の管理･運営にあたった役人。井司と同じような役目を果たしたものを井守，井奉行，井行事，池司，池守等ともよんでいる。しかし井司，井守，井奉行がそれぞれ異なった職掌を分担している場合もあったようである。例えば904年(延喜4)和泉国大鳥社流記帳には〈禰宜を以て井司と為し，祝を以て井守と為す〉とある。灌漑用水の円満な管理･運営には，その用水について熟知するとともに，公平無私なることが求められるが，1550年(天文19)10月薬師寺領南北下井の井司を補任するとき，〈器用之仁〉をさがして任命したというのは，これを物語っている。

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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