SOURCE2 The social hierarchy of shi-n̄o-k̄o-sh̄o , introduced by the Tokugawa Sh̄ogunate
Tenn ō (emperor)
The emperor and his kuge were only figureheads and had no real power.
Kuge (court nobles)
They resided in Kyoto and were puppets in the sh ō gun’s political plans.
Sh ō gun (army commander)
The sh ō gun was the true leader of Japan. He controlled the military and the emperor.
Daimy ō (large private landowner)
Daimy ō were high-ranking samurai who owned land, making them very powerful.
Samurai were paid warriors who were fiercely loyal to their daimy ō . Samurai were higher on the social ladder than the other common classes because of the high moral standard they set.
Samurai (shi)
Those that worked on the land were called heimin . They often owned the land they farmed and could grow quite rich, but could not move beyond their social position due to their work. This was the largest caste, making up approximately 90% of the population. Artisans were below peasants because they produced goods which weren’t essential. They created works of art, weapons and anything else that might be traded.
Peasants (n ō )
Artisans (k ō )
Merchants were considered far less important than other classes because they did not produce anything themselves, they just traded goods created by others. Underneath all the other classes were the untouchables. These were individuals whose role contradicted Shint ō faith. Because of this, they were societal outcasts.
Merchants (sh ō )
Untouchables ( burakumin )
SkillBuilder discussion Continuity and change
1. Study SOURCE2 . What role did the daimȳo play in the feudal hierarchy of Japan during the Tokugawa Sh̄ogunate? 2. Suggest how the social hierarchy of shi-n̄o-k̄o-sh̄o influenced the daily lives and occupations of commoners in feudal Japan. 3. What challenges might have been faced by the sh̄oguns in maintaining control over the powerful daimȳo?
Commoners were divided into social castes called shi-n̄o-k̄o-sh̄o , based on Confucian teachings from China. These classes were hereditary, and individuals remained in their assigned class for life. The highest caste was the samurai warriors, followed by those who provided food and raw materials ( heimin ), those who produced non- essential goods and, finally, those who only sold or traded goods. Outside of this set of castes were the burakumin , or untouchables. These were roles such as executioners or butchers — anyone who did a job which was tainted by death and therefore an affront to the Shint̄o faith.
SOURCE3 Himeji Castle belonged to the daimȳo from the Akamatsu clan.
TOPIC9 Japan under the sh̄oguns 229
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