Changes

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.  

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. 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>

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> The ''[[shuza]]'', established in [[1609]], held a monopoly on the sale and distribution of [[vermillion|cinnabar]], while short-lived guilds dominated the flow of iron and brass from [[1780]] to [[1787]], when they were abolished by [[Matsudaira Sadanobu]]. Many of these guilds were either established or strengthened under the tenure of [[Tairo|Tairô]] [[Tanuma Okitsugu]] in the 1760s-1780s, but many of his policies were reversed shortly afterwards by Sadanobu. Guilds also existed managing the circulation of alum and camphor.<ref>[[John Whitney Hall]], ''Tanuma Okitsugu (1719-1788): Forerunner of Modern Japan'', Harvard University Press (1955), 77-78.</ref>

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.

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.