From about the Heian period onwards, there was an insular, monopolistic system of commerce centered around the za (guilds), under which each za had exclusive rights to sell their products tax-free to specific noblemen and/or temples and shrines, but with the free market, open guild system introduced thanks to the rise of the sengoku daimyo, who started to allow independent (i.e., non-guild) businesses to be created, progress was made towards ending the oppressive guild system.
平安時代あたりから公家や寺社を本所として販売の独占権や関税の免除などの特権を得る座と呼ばれる閉鎖的な商業独占体制は、成長する戦国大名によって自営営業を許す楽市楽座によって廃止の方向へ向かう。