Guilds in Japan

former Japanese trade guild system

thumb|Utagawa Yoshitora, Hikeshi with a [[matoi]] Hikeshi () were fire brigades in Edo and Meiji-era Tokyo. Members of these brigades were also called by this term.

Kabunakama (株仲間) were merchant guilds in Edo period Japan, which developed out of the basic merchants' associations known as nakama. The kabunakama were entrusted by the shogunate to manage their respective trades, and were allowed to enjoy a monopoly in their given field.

a regulatory commission or guild, overseers of silver production in Edo period Japan

was the Tokugawa shogunate's officially sanctioned cinnabar monopoly or cinnabar guild (za) which was created in 1609.

was the Tokugawa shogunate's officially sanctioned gold monopoly or gold guild (za) which was created in 1595. Initially, the Tokugawa shogunate was interested in assuring a consistent value in minted gold coins; and this led to the perceived need for attending to the supply of gold.

was the Tokugawa shogunate's officially sanctioned copper monopoly or copper guild (za) which was created in 1636 and (1701–1712, 1738–1746, 1766–1768).