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Slaves (view source)

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*Shinuhi 私奴婢

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The slave class was divided by law into five subgroups according to types of ownership and degrees of freedom. The first subgroup was state slaves (kanko) owned by the central government. They could have families and could use a portion of their labor for themselves. The second subgroup was private slaves (ke'nin) owned by commoners. They had as mch freedom as did state slaves. The third was state chattel slaves (kunuhi) owned by the central government. They were treated as property that could be bought and sold. The fourth subgroup was private chattel slaves (shinuhi) owned by commoners. They were otherwise treated like state chattel slaves. And the fifth was the imperial-mausolea slaves (ryouko) owned by officials. They were used to protect and maintain the tombs of deceased emperors and empresses.

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===Kanko 官戸===

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Private slaves (ke'nin) are not mentioned in extant household registers or other records of the eighth century, and we find only scattered references to them in legal provisions of that and the following centuries. We therefore assume that private slaves were not numerous and that imperial-mausolea slaves were ranked about as high as commoners were, as they were despised only because of the work they did. Commoners, on the other hand, included artisan groups (shinabe) that were much like slaves. The largest slave subgroup was private chattel slaves, who were owned mainly by temples, shrines, public officials, and wealthy farmers. One private chattel slave, according to contemporary sources, had roughly the value of a strong horse or cow."

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The Imperial ~~Mausoleum Slaves~~ were ~~in a hereditery class system~~ that ~~was~~ (~~along~~ with the ~~other 4 types of slaves)~~ in contrast with the ~~free~~, ~~common man~~ (~~ryoumin~~). ~~This~~ was ~~in imitation with Tang Chinese law codes~~. ~~From~~ the ~~above website, there is~~ a ~~chart that explains~~ the ~~relationship~~ that ~~is outlined below in this post~~.

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The Cambridge History of Japan titles the "Kanko" as government-owned 'state slaves' who were allowed "familes and could use a portion of their labor for themselves".

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===Ryouko 陵戸===

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Basically care-keepers of Imperial [[Kofun]], 'imperial-mausolea slaves,' or "ryouko" were the property of government officials. This can only be expected, considering the sensitive work they did. Interestingly, it's noted that they were

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===Ke'nin 家人===

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The common people (ryoumin) owned "Ke'nin" or 'private slaves,' as they are entitled within Cambridge. These 'private slaves' were equal with 'state slaves'.

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===Kunuhi 官奴婢===

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"Kunuhi," or 'state chattel slaves,' were also owned by the government. They were viewed as currency--"property that could be bought and sold".

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===Shinuhi 私奴婢===

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"Shinuhi," in contrast with "Kunuhi," were privately owned 'chattel slaves'. However, that is where the differences end: their lot in life was equal.

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Still editing: and that imperial-mausolea slaves were ranked about as high as commoners were, as they were despised only because of the work they did. Commoners, on the other hand, included artisan groups (shinabe) that were much like slaves. The largest slave subgroup was private chattel slaves, who were owned mainly by temples, shrines, public officials, and wealthy farmers. One private chattel slave, according to contemporary sources, had roughly the value of a strong horse or cow."

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==Occurences of Slavery==

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The Cambridge History of Japan attempts to analyze the place of slaves within Nara society. The chapter concludes that "Ke'nin" were far less common than government-owned slaves.

[[Category: Nara Period]]

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