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“It is said that the Dekasho-bushi orginated from “migrant work””, which was considered a fundamental element of Tamba’s economy and way of life. Since the Genrokyu Era (1688-1703), it had become popular for farmers to go to Ikeda and Itami as migrant workers in sake breweries in the off season. However, during the Tenmei Era (1751-1788), a number of natural disasters would continuously damage the year’s crops. The Sasayama feudal clan therefore implemented a severe “ban migrant worker order”” to ensure that the farmers would be available to tend to their fields and crops all year round. Seibee Ichihara, at great personal risk, made a direct appeal to a feudal lord in Edo, and managed to loosen the constraints of the order.”