influential townspeople; local merchant leaders
Historical term for wealthy, influential merchants and artisans who played a leading role in urban self-governance during the Muromachi period (1336–1573). Now archaic, used only in historical contexts.
During the Muromachi period, the machishū formed self-governing organizations and had great influence over town management.
Compound of 町 (machi, 'town') and 衆 (shū, 'group of people'). The reading まちしゅう reflects the older kun'yomi for 町 and the go-on reading for 衆, typical of Muromachi-period terminology.