Mutual Aid Systems in the Pit in the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) Eras #3
1964 - 1967

Mutual Aid Systems in the Pit in the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) Eras #3]
38.0 x 53.9 cm Painting in Watercolors and Ink

Text on the Right
The mutual financing association (ko) called a tanomoshiko was sometimes organized in the coal pit for helping the poor. Of course the insurance premium was not charged to them. It was a mutual financing association based on compassion for the poor. The association was organized by some groups of people and it loaned some money to those in need. The pit workers at that time did not use any mutual financing associations that loaned money by bidding (seriko). Such an association called otoshiko or kishako was for merchants. Every loan was given to the winner of the draw and the winner paid 10 percent higher monthly premium from the next payment. To raise more money before the draw, the representatives made the members draw a special lot called a burari, which caused them to pay additional 5 sen to 50 sen into the pot.
The lots for the normal draw called a koza were made of twisted paper strings and the number of the strings was greater than that of the members by one. After the lots were drawn, the remaining lot was called the nokori tengu or saki tengu. The lot with the number which was one number off from the nokori tengu's number became the winning lot. The drawer of a lot called the ashi, that was two numbers off from the nokori tengu's number, was given some money as a so-called consolation prize.
The insurance premium was 1 yen at the maximum but it was mostly lower than that amount. The members paid the premium once or twice a month. In the pits that had their holiday and exchange day called sannyobi on the 15th of each month, miners paid the premium twice a month. 1 yen was a lot of money at that time.
If the winner of the draw did not need the loan, the claim to it was handed over to another. In this case, the month's premium was returned to the winner. Additionally, more than one guarantee was necessary for the actual winner to receive the loan. In the end of the Taisho era, groups of five members were formed in each association and the members of each group supported each other as cosignatories.

Text at the Top Left
These mutual financing associations were sometimes formed for the poor who were not occupationally injured or ill. In this case, the poor had to only pay the first month premium while others paid their premiums every month.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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