Individuals who were peasants and townspeople (eg. prosperous merchants or wealthy farmers) were awarded samurai status (by becoming goshi) as a reward for monetary tributes paid to the daimyo or in recognition of developments in new pursuits.
富商、豪農など百姓・町人身分であった者が、大名家に対しての献金や新田開発の褒美として士分としての郷士に取り立てられた者。