Meaning of 座 in 口座


I don't understand why 口座, "(bank) account" is written with the kanji 座 in
it...

I got that 口 conveyed the idea of a number of something from the 広辞苑 which
have this definition :

> 人または物件の数（をかぞえる語）。

But what about the other?




座{ざ} literally meaning a _seat_ stands here for a _place_ - a designated spot
where a certain action (like transactions occurred).

The word 座 was historically used for a _trade guild_ (and wikipedia
[article](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BA%A7) further explains further
theories behind its origins); the character is used in the word 銀座{ぎんざ} for a
_mint_ and is also commonly used in names of theatres (like 松竹座{しょうちくざ})

So while contemporary bank account might be just a set of records in a
database, the word 銀行口座 originates from the place you go to perform bank
transactions.




座{ざ} literally meaning a _seat_ stands here for a _place_ - a designated spot
where a certain action (like transactions occurred).

The word 座 was historically used for a _trade guild_ (and wikipedia
[article](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BA%A7) further explains further
theories behind its origins); the character is used in the word 銀座{ぎんざ} for a
_mint_ and is also commonly used in names of theatres (like 松竹座{しょうちくざ})

So while contemporary bank account might be just a set of records in a
database, the word 銀行口座 originates from the place you go to perform bank
transactions.

