Maren A. Ehlers

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.

Maren A. Ehlers, an expert on Tokugawa Japan, delves into her book examining the role of ordinary subjects in society's regulation. She discusses how marginalized groups, like beggars and outcastes, navigated poverty and their relationships with authorities. Ehlers sheds light on the unique contributions of the Koshiro and blind guilds in maintaining social order. The conversation unveils the complexities of societal dynamics during famine relief efforts and how these interactions shaped the transition from the Tokugawa to Meiji era.