Virtual Yamanote 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #12 Sosei-ji Temple

 

     The Salt Wholesaler Munekiyo's wife (?-1658) founded Sosei-ji Temple for her late husband in 1629, inviting Priest Unko (?-1665). Sosei is another pronunciation of Munekiyo.

     In the Edo Period, salt producers were forbidden to sell salt directly to salt consumers. Salt wholesalers were organized both in domains where salt was produced and in cities where salt was consumed.  In Edo, salt wholesalers were organized between 1624 and 1644.  The Edo wholesalers bought salt from salt shippers, who bought their salt from salt producers.  The wholesalers sold salt to salt brokers, who sold salt to retailers and large consumers such as shoyu and miso makers.  Wholesalers got 3 to 5 percent of the selling price.  Each transit trader got their margins likewise, and I’m sure they didn't forget to offer some money under the table to the samurai concerned.  The Japanese trading systems which have been condemned to be trade barriers were built up in the Edo Period.  Munekiyo, anyway, became a salt wholesaler in those days and made his fortune enough to found a temple with his name.

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