photo #3186767

Samurai SalaryThe ashigaru (foot soldiers) were paid in bales of rice called Tawara. 2.5 Tawara equaled 1 koku, or about 140 kg (180 liters) of rice. On average, the ashigaru received about 4 to 13 koku annually.Samurai were also paid in rice, and a samurai could receive anything from 30 (lowest ranked) to an average 100 koku and over. The swordsman Miyamoto Musashi recieved 300 koku as an annual stipend when living in Kumamoto under the Hosokawa clan. If they received parcels of land in place of actual rice, then 50% of the rice harvested from that land would be expected as a form of tax. Still, 50 koku was considered a large stipend.The second highest division of Sumo wrestlers even today are called Juryo, meaning 10 Ryo, the amount they were paid. A Ryo is an oval shaped gold coin equal to 1 koku.In 1711, the average Hatamoto was paid about 483 Ryo. 1 Ryo was the cost of a samurai's street wear, including Kosode (a narrow-sleeved kimono) Hakama, and Haori (jacket). 6 Ryo was the average annual wage for a laborer, while hiring a maid would cost 3 or 4 Ryo a year. The ashigaru armor would cost around 4 to 6 Ryo per set.Incidentally, 1 Bu, or a quarter of a Ryo would get you a night with a high-class prostitute around Edo. 1,000 Mon (round copper coins with square holes) would equal 1 Koku. A bowl of soba would cost 16 Mon, and a piece of sushi around 8 to 10 mon each.