Hills of Silver Ruins (2/9)

The koseki (local census record) system is still used in Japan. Only recently has Japan embraced the equivalent of the social security number as a permanent ID. Literally running away to escape a debt collector remains a reliable plot device in television dramas.

An allotment (給田) is allocated to all legal residents of a kingdom when they reach their majority. A single allotment equals approximately one hectare.

From The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

"How did you go bankrupt?" Bill asked.
"Two ways," Mike said. "Gradually and then suddenly."