Japanese Feudal System

Japanese Feudal System

1. 1. Emperor

   • Symbolic ruler of Japan
   • descended from and representative of Shinto deities
   • mostly a revered figurehead

2. 5. Peasants, Artisans, and Merchants

   • Peasants
     • forms the backbone of the feudal society
     • make up 75 percent of the population
   • Artisans
     • armorers and sword makers
     • provide goods for the Samurai class
   • Merchants
     • Merchants had the lowest rank in the feudal system
     • were seen as "parasites" who profited from the more productive classes

3. 3. Daiymo

   • powerful warlord with the control over territories
   • their strength relied on the taxing of rice production
   • vassals to the Shogun, who agreed to support him with their armies

4. 2. Shogun

   • head of the military government
   • has the power to oversee national affairs
   • receives titles from the Emperor
   • the real power lay in the hands of the Shogun

5. 4. Samurai

   • "those who serve"
   • the fighting aristocracy of a war-torn land
   • heavily armed and trained in skills of fighting
   • followed a code of values that emphasized honor bravery, and loyalty