ABSTRACT
The term “medieval” evokes an image of political diffuseness in which powerful warriors established local rule as the central state of classical times gradually faded into obscurity. While this describes medieval Japanese political history with some accuracy, it overlooks an important parallel reality: a vital market economy with regional and local centers of trade, well-established commercial networks that functioned dependably despite political instability, and a rising level of urbanization with communities of various types and sizes emerging throughout the country.
