Maintaining order through the yard and caretaker system Early 2010s

Maintaining order through the yard and caretaker system Early 2010s

Stalls at festivals and fairs may appear to be chaotically arranged, but inside they were supported by a strict order. At the center of this order was a space for stalls called a "garden space" and a system of caretakers to manage this space. The "garden space" refers to the limited commercial space within the precincts of the shrine, on the approach to the shrine, in the plaza, etc., where stalls were set up during the festival period, and it was a temporary but social space with clear rules.

The caretaker was the coordinator who managed the entire garden place and was not merely a supervisor. They were responsible for many of the practical matters, such as deciding on the placement of stalls, securing aisle width, whether fire was allowed or not, and checking sanitary conditions. His decisions to place the pottery stalls downwind, to keep food, drink, and toys at a distance, and not to block the line of flow for worship were based on his years of experience and on-the-ground sense. The discretion of the caretakers was supported by their trust and track record, as unbiased placement would lead to dissatisfaction and conflict.

The importance of this system increased even more as the scale of festivals expanded and the number of people attending increased rapidly from the postwar period to the period of rapid economic growth. As the number of stalls increased, and temporary young people and supporters from the countryside joined in, disorderly behavior could lead to accidents and police intervention. The caretakers were also responsible for the initial response to problems, internally resolving disputes between customers, complaints from neighbors, and conflicts between merchants.

The management of the garden also had the meaning of protecting the business community. Preventing newcomers from entering the market without permission and creating a safe environment for existing merchants to continue their business was the very essence of the culture of mutual aid. If someone was unable to open a stall due to illness or injury, his or her colleagues would fill in the vacancy and make adjustments at the next festival. The concept of prioritizing not only profit but also continuity and safety was at the root of the caretaker system.

However, since the 1990s, due to the Violence Prevention Policy and the tightening of administrative regulations, the caretaker system has come under scrutiny from the outside. Even though the system was originally intended to maintain order and ensure safety, its systematic management has been misunderstood, and there have been an increasing number of cases in which the garden itself has been downsized. Nevertheless, the role played by this system should be evaluated as a form of community-based economic management.

The niyeba and the caretaker system have elevated the stall business from a mere collection of individual businesses to a social activity based on responsibility and trust. There, quiet wisdom and practice were breathed in order to safely establish the extraordinary event of a festival.