Japan Edo Period; Hierarchy - Kylee

Japan

Edo Period

The Edo or Tokaguwa period was between 1603 and 1868. During that period the Japanese were under the rule of the Tokoguwa Shogunate. At that time their were nine levels of hierarchy in their society.

Hierarchy

Emperor

The emperor came up with strict rules everyone had to listen to including himself. If anyone didn't follow a rule they would be strictly punished. There were 216 different dress code rules. When Tokaguwa defeat all his rivals in a great battle. Because of his military skill, and stategy he became the most powerful man in all of Japan. All though the emperor still ruled all the land the Shogun held all power.

Shogun

The shogun or the Tokugawa Shogunate was the last fedal military government. Existing only between 1600 and 1868 in Japan. The Shogun ruled in the Edo castle and during their rule was known as the Edo period. The shogun were the head of the government.

Daimyo

Before the Edo period, the daimyo, powerful landowers competed for land and territory. Then Tokagawa defeated rival daimyo, setting rules and laws for them. Making them unable to rebel gainst the Shogunate.

Samurai

Japanese samurai were very respected warriors. Samurai would live in towns controlled by a daimyo or shogun they served. Only samurai were allowed to carry swords around. Tey carried two different types of swords with them. One was long and curved, and could slice an enemy in two.The other was short and able to cut off an enemies head, defeating an enemy.

Ronin

A ronin was a masterless samurai because of the death or fall of his master. There were many ranks for samurais, a ronin was the lowest rank possible. Ronins were the least honourable because they had no master.

Ronin

Peasants

Laws controlled every part of a peasants life. They were unable to smoke tobacco or drink rice wine. They were unable to travel outside of their district without special permission.

Peasants

Artisans

Japanese artists and crafters, called artisans, usally lived in towns and cities. An artisan son was restricted to the class of his father and to the craft his father practiced. The objects created by the artisans were not only beautiful, but useful.

Merchants

Merchants would buy art and crafts from Artisans and sell them to buyers. They arranged for things like the shipping and recieving of goods. Since they didn't produce goods they were at the bottom of the hierarchy.

Women

In the Edo period the class women were born into would determine their responsibilities. However on the overall hierarchy, women were considered lower than men. They did not have a legal existence in the Shogunate period, and could not own property.