The Benibana Museum (The Safflower Museum)
24. "Mebaya" and "Sanbe" as Traders (仲介業の目早とサンベ)
Behind the prosperity of benibana trading, "Mebaya" and "Sanbe" took an important role of its process. Both were a unique name in this district and the former was a trader to settle the price of benibana after checking the condition of the flowers' harvest and the latter was a broker to collect the cargos by request of benibana merchants.
At the beginning of Edo period, both buisiness were not devided, but the increase of the business separated the role to manage the business of production from merchandizing, and these situation created the work of "Mebaya".
As the character and its stand became stable, the official of the Yamagata Clan publicly approved their works in 1731 and after this Mebayas founded their guild to pay a constant tax and concluded agreement between them. At about 1781, Mebayas in Yamagata area were counted 50 persons and Sanbes about 100 persons, especially about 25 Sanbes lived near Yachi.
But the public recognition of both business men caused various troubles, because the distribution system gradually became changed. In the part of currency, Mebayas and the traders of the native area became too tight, the flower markets gradually declined. Specially buyers from Kyoto or Osaka could not get the raw benibana flower because Mebayas began their trading before the harvest time for the purpose of their profit.
Anyhow, Mebaya and Sanbe took the important role till the beginning of Meiji era.