noun
Edo-period land tax system where the government took 50% of the crop and farmers kept 50%
Historical term referring to the tax rate under the Tokugawa shogunate. The name literally means 'five parts public, five parts people'.
江戸時代には五公五民の税率が一般的だった。
During the Edo period, the tax rate of 50% for the government and 50% for the farmers was common.
五公五民という言葉は、当時の農民の負担の重さを表している。
The term 'gokō gomin' reflects the heavy burden on farmers at that time.
四公六民 was a lighter tax rate (40% to government, 60% to farmers) sometimes implemented as relief.
Compound of 五 (five), 公 (public/government), 五 (five), and 民 (people). Literally 'five parts public, five parts people', referring to the equal split of the harvest.