Yui(ties)・Ko(lectures)・Za(seats)・Ren(links)・Kumi(assemblies)

　In traditional Japan, organizations were structurally differentiated according to the nature of their goals, resources, circumstances and wishes. This was based on the shared belief or sense that the fruit of any group effort depended on how the group was tied together in the fuse place.
　Yui were “ties,” where people exchanged labor of equal value such as planting rice, harvesting rice, and thatching roofs. Ko, meaning “lectures,” were collaborations of faith, bringing together knowledge, skills, money and materials for religious activities and projects. Za, which translates as “sears,” were used when workers of specific industries—for example, merchants, craftsmen, or artists—cooperated in asserting exclusive rights co certain areas in return for payment to the government. Ren, or “links,” were networks based on hobby and pleasure, detached from any profit. And kumi were “assemblies,” formed for common social purposes such as firefighting and other activities aimed at improving society.

　In this way, the people of this country once possessed a wide variety of ways in which to collaborate across boundaries of blood, social standing or contractual relationship. While most of these traditional organizations have been changed into joint-stock corporations or ocher such recognized legal entities, it may be wise for tomorrow’s Japan to reappraise the creative potential such traditionally structured organizations can harness.