Edo-period merchant guild
A trade guild officially recognized by the shogunate, which managed and regulated a specific industry or commodity during the Edo period.
During the Edo period, merchant guilds were granted privileges by the shogunate.
Compound of 株 (kabu, 'stock' or 'share') and 仲間 (nakama, 'group' or 'company'), reflecting the guild's nature as a collective of merchants holding shared rights.