Help with a word

[Marsh]

My Great Grandfather lived in Japan 1872-1875 and then visited more than a dozen times on business. I just found an autobiography that he wrote. There is a Japanese word that he uses several times and I cannot find a translation.

It is SAITORI. He says as the nobles sold their art works in 1870's to foreigners, a middle man (Saitori) would show the articles, and convey the offer to the noble - thus keeping the noble anonymous.

Is this word correct?

BTW, his capital S is "funny" like having dots at each end. I know he was fluent in Japanese and wrote the language also.

 

[thomas]

I believe he was referring to 才取り.

1. 「すあいとり」の音変化》売買の媒介をして手数料を取ること。また、それを業とする人。ブローカー。
2. 足場の上にいる左官に、助手が下から壁土・漆喰 (しっくい) などを渡すこと。また、その助手。
3. 才取り棒」の略。

才取り（さいとり）とは？ 意味・読み方・使い方をわかりやすく解説 - goo国語辞書

才取り（さいとり）とは。意味や使い方、類語をわかりやすく解説。１ 《「すあいとり」の音変化》売買の媒介をして手数料を取ること。また、それを業とする人。ブローカー。２ 足場の上にいる左官に、助手が下から壁土・漆喰 (しっくい) などを渡すこと。また、その助手。３ 「才取り棒」の略。 - goo国語辞書は30万9千件語以上を収録。政治・経済・医学・ITなど、最新用語の追加も定期的に行っています。

dictionary.goo.ne.jp

Auto-translated:

• To mediate buying and selling and take a commission.
• a person who makes it their business. Broker.
• The handing of plaster from below by an assistant to a plasterer on scaffolding. Also, his assistant.

 

[thomas]

Has your great-grandfather's book ever been printed? And welcome to the forum!

 

[Marsh]

才取り.

Thank you Thomas. and Grandpa Frank these are actually only autobiographical notes that I am transcribing into Word. I have just started, and Saitori was an early word that did not translate well on-line.

 

[Marsh]

Has your great-grandfather's book ever been printed? And welcome to the forum!

Thank you again for your help.

So i finished transcribing his notes. As it turns out they were notes on how he ended up in the Asian Art business. He open the first Asian Art store in the US (1876) and travelled to Japan and Asia every year from 1877 to 1931. He died in an auto accident in '32. His children continued the business, and travelled to Japan regularly. In fact I have letters of my Grandfather having difficulty exiting Japan in August 1941.

I have finished the notes, about 3,000 words. available to anyone interested. [email protected]