Photo/Illutration Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister of economy, trade and industry, during an interview on Aug. 12 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

In the feudal Mikawa-Yoshida “han” (domain) in Mikawa Province (present-day eastern Aichi Prefecture), there was a detailed manual for the lord’s valets to follow in the performance of their daily duties.

It went something like this: “His Lordship rises at 7:30. Be sure to have water for his calligraphy inkwell ready before he wakes. When His Lordship has finished his morning lavatory business, pour water from a wooden pail on his hands and catch the water with a hand basin.”

“Edohantei e Yokoso” (Welcome to the domain residences in Edo), a recently published book by Yuichiro Kusumi, introduces readers to oral traditions that were observed by feudal valets.

During the lord’s mealtime, for example, valets must wait for him from 90 centimeters away, and they would be reprimanded for serving him “katsuobushi” (shaved dried bonito) on “days of abstinence” when only vegetarian dishes were allowed.

It has now come to light that officials of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have a manual so detailed and thorough, it would even amaze persnickety feudal officials.

Written for officials accompanying economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on his travels, the manual instructs them to appoint a dedicated staffer for carrying Nishimura’s baggage, as the minister is a heavy shopper of presents and souvenirs when he travels.

The manual also requires two separate teams to buy food at train stations on the way home--one team purchases bento boxed meals and the other gets salads.

Ten items are crammed onto a single page. “At souvenir stores, clerical staff must pick up the tab (which will be reimbursed later by the minister),” reads one item. Another says, “Purchasing icepacks is a must.”

Items of special importance are underlined or marked with an asterisk.

In my mind’s eye, I see the backs of bureaucrats who pay attention to the minutest detail to avoid offending the minister and being unnecessarily reprimanded.

While reading the manual, the melody of “Torisetsu,” a hit pop number by Kana Nishino, rang out in my ears.

The lyrics are in the form of a message to a lover and go to the effect, “I sometimes am suddenly in a bad mood/ I get angry if you leave me alone.”

Be it between a husband and wife at home or with colleagues at work, people nowadays rely heavily on “torisetsu”--short for “toriatsukai setsumeisho,” which means “a user manual.”

But I do not want to believe that writing a manual for the minister’s attendants is the duty of government officials.

In “Kanryotachi no Natsu” (The summer of bureaucrats), a best-selling novel by Saburo Shiroyama, the protagonist--an official of the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry--preaches to his young colleagues, “We are in the employ of the people, not in the employ of the minister.”

The ministry’s name has changed, but the ministry, itself, is still the same. I wonder how the officials who have ended up on the “salad team” are feeling.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 9

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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