The Echigoya family are a group of corrupt traders and merchants and are hunted by the Azuma ninja. All of their known males have been exterminated by the Azuma, but it is unknown whether any female Echigoya are still active. Their various crimes include illegal smuggling of drugs and weapons, loan sharking, prostitution and just being plain greedy people. They are also very cheeky, and seem to have had a good life, shown by their rich clothes, their fat bodies and round heads and their wealthy look on their faces.