A Study of the Lay Priests

A Study of the Lay Priests is Kita Sadakichi's serial investigation (1920) into where the outcast and low-status communities of premodern Japan came from.

Kita argues that many of them descended from itinerant and semi-lay priests: the shōmonji who served the great temples of Nara as sweepers, guards, diviners and entertainers; the sanjo settlements; the shuku of the post-station and hill hamlets. He builds the case from temple diaries, petitions, village records and the letters of readers.

Kita's period terminology (including "Eta" and hinin) is retained as historical vocabulary and explained in a translator's note, with endnotes for terms, dates and doubtful readings.