Memories of Excommunication and Internal Order among Street Vendors: The World of Circulars of Disciplinary Action (Late Showa Period)

Memories of Excommunication and Internal Order among Street Vendors: The World of Circulars of Disciplinary Action (Late Showa Period)
In the world of street vendors in the late Showa period (late 1926-1989), there was a strong code of discipleship and discipline, and those who broke this code were severely punished with excommunication. When a person was excommunicated, a circular letter stating "00 is excommunicated" was sent to the person concerned, officially notifying the entire community. This was not a mere punishment, but a social adjustment device to prevent turmoil in the territory and a chain of mistrust, and was an indispensable custom for maintaining internal order. Even families running their own tekiya households received letters of excommunication, the text of which left a strong impression even on their children. In an age when trust was the foundation of business, excommunication meant separation from the community and was a symbolic procedure for maintaining organizational cohesion. The tradition of excommunication and disciplinary action tells the history of street vendors as more than ju
st a business group, but as a strong network of mutual support.