An Observation on the Labour Power for Building Temples in the Middle of the 8th Century : The Case of Zō-Ishiyamaderasho-Kōgasansakusho

Okafuji Yoshitaka

doi:10.15017/2244063

The object of this article is to illustrate the contents, the process and the materials in the works of sawing and conveying and to make clear how the men of each class were made to work at Kogasansakusho 甲賀山作所 as the first work of the building of Ishiyamadera from the end of 761 a. d. to the next August. I intend to observe through such concrete contents on the process of the organization for building temples, and the structure and the functions of the labour power. Between December 22, 761 and January 14, 762, 253 pieces of logs were cut by 233 mandays of Sakuko 作工 and 62 armfuls of Hiwada 檜皮 were gathered by 31 mandays of Ekifu 役夫. 47 pieces out of them were carried part of the way by 101 mandays of Ekifu and between March 13 and April 25, 762, the rest (742 pieces) were carried on 17 Sekisha 積車 and on rafts from Kimoto 木本 to lshiyama by way of Shatei 車庭, Mikumogawatsu 三雲川津 and Lake Biwa by 162 mandays of Kofu 雇夫. As the result, 232 pieces had been received by Ishiyama by April 29, 9 pillars, by July 9 and 55 armfuls of Hiwada by Zotodaijishi 造東大寺司 and Setasho 勢多庄 played an important part for this purpose. In addition, coins were used for the supplies of goods and the labour power. The characteristics of this process are these: First, Chojoko 長上工 directed the cutting and sawing of wood at the beginning but afterward, according to the direction of the headquarter (Zo-Ishiyamaderasho Mandokoro), Unagashi 将領, chief of the construction site undertook the task of cutting and transporting wood, or collecting materials. Second, Banjoko 番上工 and Misenko 未選工 were also engaged in gathering and other works required in process of construction. Third, Tekko 鉄工 was hired to repair the instruments of Mokko (carpenters). Koeki labour power, for instance, Koko 雇工 and Tameshi-ko 様工 engaged in sawing and cutting wood, and Kofu in conveying and other jobs, was large because of the shortage of Shiko 司工 and Jicho 仕丁. We need not over-estimate Koeki 雇役. but we cannot neglect it as well as the circulation of coins. Moreover, in transporting, the labour was divided into Kosha and rafters. And the works of supplying materials such as Hiwada and Sugikure 榲榑 were aiso divided by contract. To sum up, the general arrangement of temple-building had been made beforehand, and the sizes and the numbers of timbers had been allotted before cutting wood. Thus this temple-building was a typical pattern of this period in the Kinai district, because there were systematic construc-tion and function of employment in labour power in constuction-site.

An Observation on the Labour Power for Building Temples in the Middle of the 8th Century : The Case of Zō-Ishiyamaderasho-Kōgasansakusho

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