🌀 The Philosophy of the Washbasin Origin #02 Emperor Nintoku — The People's Hearth and the Wisdom of the 'Omitakara' (The People as Treasure)
Emperor Nintoku.
His name, recorded in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, has been passed down to the present day not only as a ruler of ancient Japan but as a symbol of a heart that cares for the people.
The 'People's Hearth' (tami no kamado) — this is a phrase that symbolizes Emperor Nintoku's prioritization of the lives of his subjects.
There is a famous anecdote that he refrained from collecting taxes and labor to the point where the smoke from the hearths of people suffering from famine and poverty could no longer be seen, thereby protecting the lives of the people.
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The 'Omitakara' (People as Treasure) and the Philosophy of Circulation
In ancient Japan, the term 'Omitakara' (literally 'great honorable treasures') did not refer merely to farmers, but to the people as treasures for the nation and the Emperor—that is, the foundation of the country.
Rice, labor, and harvests were considered the property of the state, and it was believed that the lives of each individual citizen were what led to the stability of society as a whole.
Emperor Nintoku's 'People's Hearth' is a concrete expression of this 'philosophy of treating the people as treasure.'
Ensuring that the people do not go hungry and that their daily lives are stable—this was understood to be the foundation for the prosperity and circulation of the entire nation.
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The People's Hearth and 🌀 Washbasin Economics
In the metaphor of 🌀 Washbasin Economics, the lives of the people are like water collected in a regional washbasin.
Just as collecting water and circulating it without waste enriches the entire region, protecting the lives of the people leads to the prosperity of the nation and the region.
• Keeping the fire of the people's hearth burning = reliably protecting the foundation of regional and household life
• Governance that cherishes the people as treasure = ensuring that resources circulate evenly throughout the region
• Generous distribution = passing on surpluses to the next generation or other regions
In this way, Emperor Nintoku's policies can be understood as a precursor to the 'philosophy of circulating water in a washbasin.'
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Connection with Sontoku
While the eras and methods differ, the essence of Emperor Nintoku's 'People's Hearth' and Ninomiya Sontoku's Hotoku philosophy is the same.
Both teach that the prosperity of the region and the people as a whole should be prioritized over the interests of individuals or families.
🌀 Washbasin Economics applies this spirit to the modern regional economy.
• Circulate the surpluses of individuals and companies within the region
• Increase overall wealth by eliminating waste and sharing
It can truly be said that Emperor Nintoku's philosophy has been passed down to the present day, transcending time and space.
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Conclusion
Protecting the 'People's Hearth' and cherishing the 'Omitakara'—this is not merely a matter of administration, but a fundamental philosophy of regional circulation.
In terms of 🌀 Washbasin Economics, it is the same as circulating water in a region, keeping it flowing, and maintaining balance without waste.
Whether it is an ancient emperor, an Edo-period rural reformer, or modern regional economic revitalization, what they all share is the importance of **'respecting the lives of people and the region, and keeping them in circulation.'**
By applying this way of thinking to the modern day, regions can become vibrant, society as a whole can flourish, and hope can be passed on to the next generation.