An unsettling anniversary

Historically, January 16th was "yabuiri" 薮入り in Japan. It means "entering the thicket", but culturally it referred to a day off for live in workers, often servants, and apprentices. I don't like the sound of this particular anniversary, as it reveals a level of servitude that seems inhumane. 

It was one of the only days off for live in workers in merchant households. On "yabuiri" the live in workers and apprentices were allowed to return home to their family homes. The alarming and sad fact is that there were only two yabuiri a year. One on this day, January 16th, and again on July 16th on the lunar calendar. The July version was called "nochi no yabuiri", meaning "later yabuiri".

During the Edo period, apprenticeships could last years, and workers often had no regular holidays off. Moreover, some servants or live in workers were committed for life. Japan is not known for generous annual leave, and it would seem it was worse in the Edo period!

The feature photo is of an Edo period merchant house.