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The ''za'' were one of the primary types of trade guilds in feudal Japan. They first appeared in the 12th century, and lasted until roughly the end of the 16th century, when guild structures began to shift and the ''za'' were supplanted by different organizations.

The ''za'' were one of the primary types of trade guilds in feudal Japan. They first appeared in the 12th century, and remained the dominant form of trade association until roughly the end of the 16th century, when guild structures began to shift and other types of organizations began to grow in number.

== Origins and purpose==

== Origins and purpose==

The earliest ''za'' came into being in the 12th century, consisting not only of trade guilds, but also guilds of performers and entertainers. Even today, performers of ''[[kabuki]]'' and ''[[noh]]'' are in associations called ''za'' (see [[Kabuki-za]]).

The earliest ''za'' came into being in the 12th century, consisting not only of trade guilds, but also guilds of performers and entertainers. Even today, performers of ''[[kabuki]]'' and ''[[noh]]'' are in associations called ''za'' (see [[Kabuki-za]]).

The ''za'' trade guilds appeared as a major force in the 14th century, and lasted in their original forms through the end of the 16th, when other guilds and trade organizations arose and subsumed the ''za''. While no longer powerful in their original forms, it could be argued that the basic concept of the ''za'', and most likely the same merchants running them, continued to exist as powerful agents in the market through to the 18th, going through many organizational and structural changes over the centuries, and eventually being eclipsed by other organizations like the ''[[ie (trading houses)|ie]]'' trading houses. Though very powerful at times, and enjoying certain tax exemptions and other formal governmental benefits, it is important to note that the ''za'', at least in their original forms, were never as official or organized as the medieval guilds of Europe.

The ''za'' trade guilds appeared as a major force in the 14th century, and lasted in their original forms through the end of the 16th, when other guilds and trade organizations arose and subsumed the ''za''. While no longer powerful in their original forms, it could be argued that the basic concept of the ''za'', and most likely the same merchants running them, continued to exist as powerful agents in the market through to the 18th, going through many organizational and structural changes over the centuries, and eventually being eclipsed by other organizations like the ''[[ie (trading houses)|ie]]'' trading houses. Though very powerful at times, and enjoying certain tax exemptions and other formal governmental benefits, it is important to note that the ''za'', at least in their original forms, were never as official or organized as the medieval guilds of Europe.

The [[Onin War|Ônin War]] of [[1467]] plunged the country into a period of chaos and war, called the [[Sengoku period]], which would last over 130 years. However, the ''za'' continued to operate, and perhaps became even more powerful as the ability to safely travel and transport goods across the nation became increasingly dangerous.

The [[Onin War|Ônin War]] of [[1467]] plunged the country into a period of chaos and war, called the [[Sengoku period]], which would last over 130 years. However, the ''za'' continued to operate, and perhaps became even more powerful as the ability to safely travel and transport goods across the nation became increasingly dangerous.

Towards the end of the 16th century, one hundred years into the Sengoku period, [[Oda Nobunaga]] briefly took command of the country, and established "free" markets and guilds, known respectively as ''[[rakuichi]]'' (楽市) and ''[[rakuza]]'' (楽座). These dealt a severe blow to the power and influence of the older, monopolistic ''za'', but did not replace them. Several other types of trade associations came into being around this time as well; though it could be argued that they replaced the ''za'', it seems more likely that the change was a more gradual, organic one, and that the ''za'' could be said to have continued to exist, just in new forms and with new names. One of the new types of organization was called ''nakama'' (仲間), or ''[[kabunakama]]'' (株仲間) when they were authorized by the [[Shogun]]. These groups were essentially guilds based on the idea of shareholding; each member of the guild owned a share in the total profits of all the guild's members. However, the shares were not transmissible, unlike in our modern stock market. Another type of trade group, called ''toiya'' (or ''[[tonya]]'' in [[Edo]]), served as wholesale merchants, focusing primarily on shipping and warehousing. At this time, [[Osaka]] came into its own as a great port, and eclipsed Kyoto as the nation's primary center of trade, contributing further to the downfall of the original ''za''.

Towards the end of the 16th century, one hundred years into the Sengoku period, [[Oda Nobunaga]] briefly took command of the country, and established "free" markets and guilds, known respectively as ''[[rakuichi]]'' (楽市) and ''[[rakuza]]'' (楽座). These dealt a severe blow to the power and influence of the older, monopolistic ''za'', but did not replace them. Several other types of trade associations came into being around this time as well; though it could be argued that they replaced the ''za'', it seems more likely that the change was a more gradual, organic one, and that the ''za'' could be said to have continued to exist, just in new forms and with new names. One of the new types of organization was called ''nakama'' (仲間), or ''[[kabunakama]]'' (株仲間) when they were authorized by the [[Shogun]]. These groups were essentially guilds based on the idea of shareholding; each member of the guild owned a share in the total profits of all the guild's members. However, the shares were not transmissible, unlike in our modern stock market. Another type of trade group, called ''toiya'' (or ''[[tonya]]'' in [[Edo]]), served as wholesale merchants, focusing primarily on shipping and warehousing.  

By the end of the Tokugawa period, the guilds, in these various forms, had gained a significant degree of legitimacy and power. In exchange for monopoly licenses and government support in other forms, the guilds shared a portion of the profits with the government. Employing a strongly centralized system, the za brought 90% of the nation’s silk processing to Kyoto by the 1720s. This centralization made monopolization of the industry far easier, and brought a significant wealth to the Kyoto government and to the merchant members of the various trade organizations.

By the end of the Tokugawa period, the guilds, in these various forms, had gained a significant degree of legitimacy and power. While the ''kabunakama'' and ''tonya'' received monopoly licenses and government support in other forms in exchange for either payment of set fees, or a share of the profits, the ''za'' came under more direct shogunate control. Employing a strongly centralized system, the ''za'' brought 90% of the nation’s silk processing to Kyoto by the 1720s. This centralization made monopolization of the industry far easier, and brought a significant wealth to the Kyoto government and to the merchant members of the various trade organizations. Some of the ''za'' most prominently under the control of the shogunate were the [[gold]] and [[silver]] guilds, known as ''kinza'' and ''ginza'' respectively, and a [[copper]] guild established by the shogunate in [[1766]]; at that time, all private sales of copper were prohibited, and the guild was given control of both the minting of copper [[currency|coinage]] and the shipping of copper between [[Osaka]] and [[Nagasaki]]. A [[ginseng]] ''za'', meanwhile, oversaw the import and domestic markets in that highly demanded good.<ref>Robert Hellyer, ''Defining Engagement'', Harvard University Press (2009), 86.</ref>

Over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, the trade guilds and associations, in all their various forms, changed over into more modern, and eventually Western, modes of business, giving rise to the ''zaibatsu'' and ''keiretsu'' monopolies of the 20th century. Some guilds were replaced, eclipsed, or destroyed. Others simply changed, gradually or rapidly, adopting new methods and modes of acting in the market, as technology and the general economic structure of the country changed.

Over the course of the [[Meiji period]], the trade guilds and associations, in all their various forms, changed over into more modern, and eventually Western, modes of business, giving rise to the ''zaibatsu'' and ''keiretsu'' monopolies of the 20th century. Some guilds were replaced, eclipsed, or destroyed. Others simply changed, gradually or rapidly, adopting new methods and modes of acting in the market, as technology and the general economic structure of the country changed.

==References==

==References==

*Kaplan, Edward The Cultures of East Asia: Political-Material Aspects. Chap. 16 & 18. 25  

*Kaplan, Edward The Cultures of East Asia: Political-Material Aspects. Chap. 16 & 18. 25  

June 2003 <http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~kaplan/>.

June 2003 <http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~kaplan/>.

*Sansom, George (1963). "A History of Japan: 1615-1867." Stanford: Stanford University Press.

*Sansom, George (1963). "A History of Japan: 1615-1867." Stanford: Stanford University Press.

*Sansom, George (1962). "Japan: a Short Cultural History." New York: Appleton-Century Crofts.

*Sansom, George (1962). "Japan: a Short Cultural History." New York: Appleton-Century Crofts.

[[Category:Economics]][[Category:Merchants]]

[[Category:Economics]][[Category:Merchants]]