What is Feudalism?
The era of feudalism in Japan took place from the 12th through to the 19th centuries. A feudal system is a system of government that binds Lords and their subjects to an Emperor or leader. In a feudal system people were born with a permanent position in society. Japanese Feudalism was organised around a four-tiered social structure. Japanese feudalism is notably different from European feudalism, which placed farmers at the bottom of the social strata.
Japanese Feudal Structure
The era of feudalism in Japan took place from the 12th through to the 19th centuries. A feudal system is a system of government that binds Lords and their subjects to an Emperor or leader. In a feudal system people were born with a permanent position in society. Japanese Feudalism was organised around a four-tiered social structure. Japanese feudalism is notably different from European feudalism, which placed farmers at the bottom of the social strata.
Japanese Feudal Structure
Timeline for Feudal System
Emperor.
An Emperor refers to a male monarch typically the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of land. An emperor was a figurehead for the powerful Shogun. Emperors make decisions for their country. An emperor is usually in the office for a long time. He rules his empire along with advisers and magistrates that assist him. Whilst the emperor was distracted at court, the Shoguns used their power against him emperor to take over his role.
An Emperor refers to a male monarch typically the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of land. An emperor was a figurehead for the powerful Shogun. Emperors make decisions for their country. An emperor is usually in the office for a long time. He rules his empire along with advisers and magistrates that assist him. Whilst the emperor was distracted at court, the Shoguns used their power against him emperor to take over his role.
Shogun.
The meaning of the word “Shogun” means “commander of a force”, it is the same as a commander in chief. The Shogun was a powerful military leader, who ruled under the Emperor's name. Shoguns were military dictators of Japan from the Kamakura period through to the Edo period which concluded at the revolution of 1867-68. They were the actual rulers of the country and the Emperor held power only in name.
The meaning of the word “Shogun” means “commander of a force”, it is the same as a commander in chief. The Shogun was a powerful military leader, who ruled under the Emperor's name. Shoguns were military dictators of Japan from the Kamakura period through to the Edo period which concluded at the revolution of 1867-68. They were the actual rulers of the country and the Emperor held power only in name.
Daimyo
Daimyos were powerful warlords and ruled under the Shogun from the 10th century to the early 19th century. Within their province the Daimyo had complete military and economic power. If the Daimyo succeeded at their job they sometimes became a Shogun. The Daimyo were the master of the Samurai. They came in many different ranks and their duty was to govern an area, provide justice, and serve the Shogun.
Daimyos were powerful warlords and ruled under the Shogun from the 10th century to the early 19th century. Within their province the Daimyo had complete military and economic power. If the Daimyo succeeded at their job they sometimes became a Shogun. The Daimyo were the master of the Samurai. They came in many different ranks and their duty was to govern an area, provide justice, and serve the Shogun.
Samurai
The Daimyo armies were made up of Samurai warriors. These warriors were the military of Japan. They lived and died by a disciplined, spiritual code called “Bushido” (meaning “way of the warrior”). If a Samurai broke the Bushido code and brought dishonour they would be expected to commit a ritual suicide. Samurai worked under the Daimyo, but they had additional privileges and held a higher social status than common people. These privileges included being able to have a family crest and carry two swords.
The Daimyo armies were made up of Samurai warriors. These warriors were the military of Japan. They lived and died by a disciplined, spiritual code called “Bushido” (meaning “way of the warrior”). If a Samurai broke the Bushido code and brought dishonour they would be expected to commit a ritual suicide. Samurai worked under the Daimyo, but they had additional privileges and held a higher social status than common people. These privileges included being able to have a family crest and carry two swords.
Peasants
Peasants were divided into several sub-classes. The highest ranking peasants were farmers. Farmers were also ranked between themselves with those owning their land being ranked higher. Craftsmen were the second highest ranking after the farmers. They worked with wood and metal and some became known as Samurai sword makers. Merchants were the lowest ranking because it was felt they made their living from other people’s work. However, in later times when Japan began to use money as currency Merchants became wealthier. While they were peasants they did a lot of the important work during feudalism in Japan. Without them, the higher classes would not have received the things they needed in order to live as easily as they did.
Peasants were divided into several sub-classes. The highest ranking peasants were farmers. Farmers were also ranked between themselves with those owning their land being ranked higher. Craftsmen were the second highest ranking after the farmers. They worked with wood and metal and some became known as Samurai sword makers. Merchants were the lowest ranking because it was felt they made their living from other people’s work. However, in later times when Japan began to use money as currency Merchants became wealthier. While they were peasants they did a lot of the important work during feudalism in Japan. Without them, the higher classes would not have received the things they needed in order to live as easily as they did.
The Feudal system in Japan was in force for many centuries. The reign of the Shogun and Daimyo come to an end as Japanese society changed significantly. The Meiji Restoration happened and then the Emperor retook power in his own right. He abolished the office of Shogun, the Samurai class ceased to exist and a modern military force was created. The revolution enabled Japan to trade goods with other countries and it's people to travel abroad. This was the end of the Shogunate period and of the four-tiered social structure and the birth of Japan as we know it today.