The Feudal System
The Feudal System was a medieval social system based on obligations between lords [who provided land to work on and protection] and vassals [who gave millitary service in time of war].
In medieval Japan this system consisted mainly of the Emperor, Shogun, Diamyo and Samurai at the top of this social standing and at the bottom the Ronin, Peasants, Artisans and Merchants.
* The emperor and Imperial Court were in the highest social place in society. The emperor was adored by his people but did not hold much political power. People of the court lived excessive lives, separate to that of the rest of society, they were refined, cultured and educated people.
* The shogun was the powerful military leader, he controlled economic and military power. The shogun successfully ruled the country, he was in charge of managing laws and taxes. He would remain the shogun as long as he could unite a majority of daimyo.
* Daimyo were warrior lords who was in charge of areas of land and governed those who worked and lived there. The size of his land and the number of samurai he commanded effected a daimyo's power. These samurai were warriors who promised loyalty to their daimyo and sustained his authority.
* Samurai's were Japanese warriors sworn to fight and serve for their daimyo, they followed a stern code of conduct called bushido.
* Ronin was another name for a masterless samurai. This happened when their master, their daimyo died or was killed.
* Peasants were farmers and fishermen, they worked the sea and land to harvest everyone's food. They were heavily taxed by the emperor's court. They were encouraged to improve production and produce extra crops, by the daimyo. Peasants made up 90% of Japan's medieval population.
* Artisians and Craftsmen made the specified items everyone needed but didn't have to time or longing to make themselves. Farmers would give their extra food for goods and services provided by the artisians and craftsmen.
* Merchants were almost the lowest class in Japan's medieval society feudal system, they came just before the eta, people who did the jobs no-one else would do. Merchants were seen as having no value; they didn't make, produce or protect anything. Although in time they became rich through trading goods with farmers and craftsmen, they also sold and lent the goods and money needed by numerous people because of the constant civil wars.
* Eta were the people who did the jobs no-one else would.
* Hinin were the absolute lowest social class, made up of beggars.
In medieval Japan this system consisted mainly of the Emperor, Shogun, Diamyo and Samurai at the top of this social standing and at the bottom the Ronin, Peasants, Artisans and Merchants.
* The emperor and Imperial Court were in the highest social place in society. The emperor was adored by his people but did not hold much political power. People of the court lived excessive lives, separate to that of the rest of society, they were refined, cultured and educated people.
* The shogun was the powerful military leader, he controlled economic and military power. The shogun successfully ruled the country, he was in charge of managing laws and taxes. He would remain the shogun as long as he could unite a majority of daimyo.
* Daimyo were warrior lords who was in charge of areas of land and governed those who worked and lived there. The size of his land and the number of samurai he commanded effected a daimyo's power. These samurai were warriors who promised loyalty to their daimyo and sustained his authority.
* Samurai's were Japanese warriors sworn to fight and serve for their daimyo, they followed a stern code of conduct called bushido.
* Ronin was another name for a masterless samurai. This happened when their master, their daimyo died or was killed.
* Peasants were farmers and fishermen, they worked the sea and land to harvest everyone's food. They were heavily taxed by the emperor's court. They were encouraged to improve production and produce extra crops, by the daimyo. Peasants made up 90% of Japan's medieval population.
* Artisians and Craftsmen made the specified items everyone needed but didn't have to time or longing to make themselves. Farmers would give their extra food for goods and services provided by the artisians and craftsmen.
* Merchants were almost the lowest class in Japan's medieval society feudal system, they came just before the eta, people who did the jobs no-one else would do. Merchants were seen as having no value; they didn't make, produce or protect anything. Although in time they became rich through trading goods with farmers and craftsmen, they also sold and lent the goods and money needed by numerous people because of the constant civil wars.
* Eta were the people who did the jobs no-one else would.
* Hinin were the absolute lowest social class, made up of beggars.