Joseph Heco

“ The officials, selected from the wealthiest men in the community, were appointed by the Governors of the City. They were entitled to wear two swords, and held a high status in Yedo society.
In Yedo there were five of these Momi-gura. The Government supplied the original stock of unhulled rice, which had to be changed every 7 or 10 years, the surplus old stock being sold at a reduced rate. The new rice was purchased by the accumulation of 7 per cent. of all the Miyoga Kin and by an annual contribution from the guilds of 10,200 Rio, of which the Saké-donya paid 1500 Rio. ”

“ Under the old regime the citizens of Yedo had as much regard to honour and honesty as to merely becoming rich. Hence there was no litigation and few cases of bankruptcy, and so ther was no difficulty in getting advances from the Momi-gura. ”

“ The officials of these guilds were on the footing of city officers.
All Commercial disputes were submitted to the guild officers for decision. The saké guild, for instance, usually selected from their own number, three Robun, and six yearly, and as many monthly, Gioji (Judges) . ”