町まち衆しゅう

noun

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.

• 室むろ町まち時じ代だい、町まち衆しゅうは自じ治ち組そ織しきを作つくり、町まちの運うん営えいに大おおきな影えい響きょう力りょくを持もっていた。

  During the Muromachi period, the machishū formed self-governing organizations and had great influence over town management.