A long-form series exploring the merchant philosophy of the Ohmi Shonin and its roots in Pure Land Buddhism.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 5 | Sanpo Yoshi I
What is sanpo yoshi — and did the Ohmi Shonin actually use the term? This installment explores the philosophy behind the concept, and the Marubeni executive who rebuilt an elementary school in a small town, inspired by the founding of Stanford University.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 4 | Why So Many Shonin Were Born in One Place
Why did Ohmi produce so many merchant dynasties? This installment of The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin examines the competing theories — from naturalized immigrants and free markets to fragmented fiefdoms — and argues that geography, more than any single cause, was the common thread that sustained them all.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 3 | Ohmi Shonin and the Textile Trade
From linen peddler to global conglomerate: how Chubei Ito's first journey in 1858 — carrying Ohmi cloth to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kishu — laid the foundation for Itochu and Marubeni's textile empires, and what it tells us about the Ohmi Shonin's enduring commercial legacy.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 2 | Before We Begin
A note to readers before the series begins in earnest: what this series is — and is not — about, and how key terms like "Jodo thought" and "Ohmi Shonin" are used throughout.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 1 | The Japanese Stocks Warren Buffett Bought
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway holds stakes in five Japanese trading companies — including Itochu, whose roots trace back to Chubei Ito, an Ohmi Shonin from 19th-century Shiga Prefecture. This series explores the merchant spirit and Buddhist ethics behind their enduring success.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Series Overview
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