Merchant Guild (Akindo Kumiai)
Focus: Trade, commerce, banking, market regulation
Members:
- Shopkeepers
- Traveling merchants
- Import/export specialists
- Bankers and moneylenders
- Auctioneers
Hierarchy:
- Apprentice Merchant (learning trade, manning shop)
- Journeyman Merchant (can run shop or trade independently)
- Master Merchant (owns significant business)
- Trade Master (specialization head)
- Guild Master (political and regulatory role)
Culture:
- Networked, information is currency
- Shrewd but honor-bound (contracts sacred)
- Wealth display acceptable
- Annual grand market (all members convene)
Locations: Headquarters in Minato-kassei, branches everywhere