ABSTRACT

It is well known that what is called “dozoku” in Japan is composed of the honke (main or original family) and its bunke (branch family). The dozoku is a hierarchical group of bunke, with a honke at the top of the scale, and its members work together in various fields of endeavor. This group prevails over the country under many names, such as maki, make, uchiwa, jirui, ikke, itto, ichimyo, kabu, kabuuchi, yauchi, mokka, motto, yoriki, etc. “Dozoku” is a scientific general term for this group. The dozoku has been common mainly in rural districts and until quite recently was inseparably related to the social structure of the rural community.