Class Structure in Feudal Japan

What is Feudalism? Feudalism is a political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Feudalism In Japan: Structure

Shogun The Shogun, or military commander, were Hereditary military governors of Japan de facto rulers of Japan But often appointed by the Emperor Ruled over the Daimyos, Samurai, and the lower classes Most known Shogunate was the Tokugawa Shogunate which lasted 250 years

Tokugawa Shogunate Lasted for 250 years Ieyasu Tokugawa started this Shogunate Was passed down his family Brought stability and peace in the warring states Was the last Shogunate in Feudal Japan history.

Daimyo Were the most powerful territorial lords Subordinate only to the Shogun Ruled over the Samurai Hired samurai to guard their land and they paid the samurai in land or food Could not afford to pay them in Money

Samurai Were the military nobility of medieval and early-modern Japan Usually hired by the Daimyo Increasingly became courtiers, bureaucrats, and administrators rather than warriors during the Tokugawa Shogunate Under Bushido, The conduct of samurai served as role model behavior for the other social classes

Peasants Made up 90% of the population Consisted of Farmers, Artisans, and Merchants. Farmers were higher on the class structure right under the Samurai, while the Merchants were on the lower end.

Farmers Farmers were superior to artisans and merchants because they produced the food that all the other classes depended upon During the reign of the third Tokugawa shogun, farmers were not allowed to eat any of the rice they grew. They had to hand it all over to their daimyo, and then wait for him to give some back as charity.

Artisans They were considered less important than the farmers even though they produced clothing, cooking utensils, and woodblock prints. Even skilled samurai sword makers and boat wrights were part of this class. The artisan class lived in its own section of the major cities

Merchants The lowest class of peasants They were considered parasites because they made money off of others work. They were also segregated from the higher classes and were not to mingle with them unless it was for business. Their misfortune ended years later when their economic power grew.