This paper sheds light on the history of, and also the background on which, kashihonya kumiai (book-lender guilds) were established in Edo and Osaka, an area that has not been investigated in detail to date. The first section observes the issue of direct trade that were long carried out between Edo seri-honya (ambulant book-lenders) and book-sellers in Kamigata without the mediation of individuals of the shomotsu donya nakama (book guild), and confirms that in the background of direct trade was the danger of introducing prohibited books, and books unapproved among guild members. The second section reveals how the Edo book-lender guild was established primarily in order to avoid issues arising, before they happened, from the introduction and distribution of books related to the Invasion of Iturup, despite a background of direct trade between Edo seri-honya and book-sellers in Kamigata. The third section reveals that a “number of book-lenders” submitted a written statement which led to progress towards the control of seri-honya in Osaka. And the fourth section indicates the possibility that the small association begun by that “number of book-lenders” was either the parent, or the predecessor, of the later book-lender guild of Osaka.