New Books in East Asian Studies Maren A. Ehlers, "Give and Take: Poverty and the Status Order in Early Modern Japan" (Harvard U Asia Center, 2018)
Aug 31, 2025
Maren A. Ehlers, author of "Give and Take: Poverty and the Status Order in Early Modern Japan," explores the intricate social dynamics of Tokugawa Japan. She dives into how marginalized groups, like beggar bosses and blind guilds, influenced society's structure and governance. Ehlers highlights the roles these groups played in poverty relief and their reciprocal relationships with the government. The discussion delves into the impact of the Temmei famine on charity practices, revealing a shift towards organized relief systems and changing attitudes toward poverty.
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Poverty As A Lens On Tokugawa Power
- Poverty reveals Tokugawa society's power dynamics more clearly than romantic cultural tropes.
- Marginal groups show how status and governance worked through reciprocal obligations.
Joining The Status Marginality Group
- Ehlers joined a 'status marginality' research group focused on underclasses and dynamic status.
- Working with Ono's sources revealed marginal groups absorbed many poor commoners and influenced town life.
Why Microhistory Matters
- Local status groups varied widely, so microhistory is essential to understand Tokugawa governance.
- Ono's rich small-town records made it an ideal magnifying glass on local social order.
