Hiranoya Gohei - Hiranoya Gohei

Japanese: 平野屋五兵衛 - ひらのやごへえ

A family of money changers in Osaka during the Edo period. Their surname was Takagi. They are said to have opened a business in Imabashi 1-chome around 1650 (Keian 3), and in 1732 (Kyoho 17) they were exempted from household duties due to their contributions to the relief of the poor during the famine. They also served the shogunate as ten money changers, responded to orders to buy rice and provide government funds to regulate rice prices, and in 1867 (Keio 3) were appointed caretakers for the Hyogo Trading Company, engaging in a wide range of financial activities for various feudal domains. They continued to be influential Osaka townspeople, but went bankrupt due to the economic changes of the Meiji Restoration. [Tsuruoka Mieko]

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

江戸時代の大坂の両替商の家。姓は高木氏。1650年(慶安3)ころ今橋一丁目に開業と伝えられ，1732年(享保17)飢饉の際，窮民救済の功により家役を免除され，また十人両替として幕府御用をつとめ，米価調節のための買米･御用金の下命に応じ，1867年(慶応3)兵庫商社世話役に就任し，諸藩へ手広く金融活動を行うなど，有力な大坂町人として存続したが，明治維新の経済変動によって倒産した。【鶴岡実枝子】

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

<<: Yoshitaro Hirano

>>: Hirano Festival - Hirano Festival