Japanese Feudalism quick check
Japanese feudalism, also known as the feudal system during the medieval period, was a hierarchical social and political structure prevalent in Japan from the 12th to the 19th century. In this system, power and control were held by a central authority, known as the shogunate, which was headed by a military leader called the shogun.
The shogun was granted authority by the emperor, who was considered the symbolic ruler of Japan but held little real power. Under the shogun, the daimyo, or regional lords, held vast estates and controlled the local population. They were responsible for the governance and defense of their territories.
Below the daimyo were the samurai, who were skilled warriors and served their respective lords. They were highly esteemed in Japanese society and enjoyed privileges and benefits such as land and financial support.
Peasants made up the majority of the population and were responsible for working the lands of the daimyo. They held little social status and were heavily taxed by their lords. Artisans and merchants formed another social group, although they were considered beneath the samurai and peasants in terms of social status.
Overall, Japanese feudalism was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy and a strong emphasis on loyalty and duty. The system provided stability and security, but it also entrenched societal inequalities and limited social mobility. It persisted until the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century when Japan underwent a period of modernization and westernization.