ショウ, あきな.う, あき

make a deal, selling, dealing in, merchant

JLPT3 G3 S11 F413

The relevant bronzeware inscription form is as per # (rise) + a tall platform (compare ) → tall platform (rising particularly high) → *trade*; *commerce*; *business*; *merchant* (← people of China's high plateaus noted for their mercantile skills, who referred to themselves as ) → *deal in*; *compare* (← compare goods in conducting trade/business).

[Full Kanji Etymology List]