Why is ostracism called 村八分【むらはちぶ】?


While doing some [reading of old
questions](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/5550/ancient-practise-
of-sneaking-into-womens-bedrooms/5555#5555), I stumbled upon the term
村八分【むらはちぶ】, which is apparently means ostracism. I'm curious what the 8 parts
(八分) are and how this relates to ostracism.




During the Edo period, villages traditionally had 10 communal activities:

>   1. 冠 - 成人式 - coming of age ceremony
>   2. 婚 - marriage
>   3. 建築 - helping with building/repairing
>   4. 病気 - helping when sick
>   5. 水害 - helping during flooding/water damage
>   6. 旅行 - travel
>   7. 出産 - giving birth
>   8. 年忌 - death anniversaries
>   9. 葬式 - funeral service
>   10. 火事 - fire fighting
>

However, when you are subjected to 村八分, the other villagers would only help
you with 葬式 and 火事. You would not receive help with the other 8 activities.
Additionally, you might be also not allowed access to communal grounds for
foraging etc. The reason that funerals and firefighting are things you could
receive help in is supposedly because of health reasons/forgiveness after
death for the former and because fire could easily affect other villagers.
Before the Edo period though, apparently [you might not receive help in the
case of funerals either](https://www.sougiya.biz/kiji_detail.php?cid=410) (not
sure about fires).

Although 村八分 has become rare, [it still
happens](http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/15581630/), though
undoubtedly in a different form than in the past. The reasons for being
subjected to 村八分 are various and most stem from not following communal norms;
one notable incident happened in [1952 in Shizuoka-
ken](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9D%99%E5%B2%A1%E7%9C%8C%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%91%E6%9D%91%E5%85%AB%E5%88%86%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6)
when a girl spoke out against local electoral practices.

* * *

**References:**

  * [Wikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%91%E5%85%AB%E5%88%86)
  * [語源由来辞典](http://gogen-allguide.com/mu/murahachibu.html)




During the Edo period, villages traditionally had 10 communal activities:

>   1. 冠 - 成人式 - coming of age ceremony
>   2. 婚 - marriage
>   3. 建築 - helping with building/repairing
>   4. 病気 - helping when sick
>   5. 水害 - helping during flooding/water damage
>   6. 旅行 - travel
>   7. 出産 - giving birth
>   8. 年忌 - death anniversaries
>   9. 葬式 - funeral service
>   10. 火事 - fire fighting
>

However, when you are subjected to 村八分, the other villagers would only help
you with 葬式 and 火事. You would not receive help with the other 8 activities.
Additionally, you might be also not allowed access to communal grounds for
foraging etc. The reason that funerals and firefighting are things you could
receive help in is supposedly because of health reasons/forgiveness after
death for the former and because fire could easily affect other villagers.
Before the Edo period though, apparently [you might not receive help in the
case of funerals either](https://www.sougiya.biz/kiji_detail.php?cid=410) (not
sure about fires).

Although 村八分 has become rare, [it still
happens](http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/15581630/), though
undoubtedly in a different form than in the past. The reasons for being
subjected to 村八分 are various and most stem from not following communal norms;
one notable incident happened in [1952 in Shizuoka-
ken](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9D%99%E5%B2%A1%E7%9C%8C%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%91%E6%9D%91%E5%85%AB%E5%88%86%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6)
when a girl spoke out against local electoral practices.

* * *

**References:**

  * [Wikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%91%E5%85%AB%E5%88%86)
  * [語源由来辞典](http://gogen-allguide.com/mu/murahachibu.html)

