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.