Pit Workers in the Old Days #5: Arbitration of a Fight
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yamabito #5: Kenka no Chusai
[Pit Workers in the Old Days #5: Arbitration of a Fight]
21.1 x 30.3 cm Ink Painting

Even pit workers who frequently fought with swords or exchanged blows could make up with each other after the conflict. Of course, some boss in the pit intervened between the parties concerned and there was a certain process of mediation.
The mediator was seated at the head of the table and had the parties concerned seat on both sides. He held a cup filled with sake in each hand, crossed his arms, and had both parties drink it at the same time. Then he did the same thing again after recrossing his arms.
Mediator: "I must give you great thanks for leaving me to mediate your fight this time. I hope you will forgive each other and be close friends hereafter."
One Party Concerned: "I'm sorry for being ill-mannered and acting without thought."
The Other Party Concerned: "Never mind. I must apologize to you because I misunderstood you."

After the reconciliation, the mediator emptied his cup to show that the dispute was settled and urged all present to clap hands three times, saying, "Yoi-yoi!" Later, the mediator wrapped some salt with a piece of paper for calligraphy, attached a pair of chopsticks to the pack, and threw the paper at the ceiling after soaking it with water. When the paper stuck on the ceiling, the parties concerned successfully made peace with each other again and the meeting could break up.

In this case, nobody talked or drank much, or stayed long. They closed the meeting after a short time. The parties concerned tried as hard as possible not to talk with each other though they sat at the same table.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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