Jōsenbō

Jōsenbō was a prominent moneylender and brewer who acted as a tax agent for the shogun in the 16th century Kyoto. As one of the shogunal tax collectors, Jōsenbō was resposible for collection of taxes from people included in moneylending activities in town – like storehouse keepers, sake brewers, bean paste merchants and day lenders. They were also charged to confiscate properties in the cases of nonpayments. Taxes were collected monthly and their officicial commission was 10 percent of the total tax collected. As an additional privilege for their services, the shogunat tax collectors enjoyed exemption from the taxes they themselves collected and enjoyed a great social prestige in community. Except of being a tax agent, Jōsenbō was also a shogunal storehouse keepert and an Enryakuju priest.