The Social Hierarchy in Tokugawa Shogunate Japan
This Empire has Four Major Social Classes: Warriors, Farmers, Artisans, and Merchants. The Emperor at the top of the Social Hierarchy actually had no power at all, but was looked to as more of a figurehead for people. The Shogun, who was a supreme military leader, was the actual ruler; he made all of the decisions for the empire, including taxation and military business. The Shogun then appointed Daimyo, who were feudal lords that looked over and governed certain land areas since the Shogun could not watch them all himself.
Samurai, heavily armed and well trained warriors, then made up the highest class on the social Hierarchy. Next came the peasants, who were the farmers that supplied a stable economy for the empire. Then came the artisans that made the weapons and supplies for the samurai. Lastly, the merchants made up the bottom class. Even though most merchants were some of the wealthiest people in the society, they were still frowned upon by their peers. Japan at the time wanted nothing to do with the new western ways and technology, so they isolated themselves from the other cultures. The merchants however, made their money by trading with civilizations other than Japan. This made many Japanese people upset and angry because they did not want the old ways to be forgotten. Therefore, the merchants were greatly looked down upon in society.
At this time in the Empire, movement between social classes was at a stand still. No one could leave or enter a new class, and whatever class a person was born into was the one where they were going to stay. There were no slaves in the Tokugawa Empire, but the peasants that made up this class were treated very poorly. Like the other lower classes, peasants did not have the right to wear silk and other luxurious clothing. Those were to be kept for the warrior class, the Daimyos, Shogun and the Emperor.
Samurai, heavily armed and well trained warriors, then made up the highest class on the social Hierarchy. Next came the peasants, who were the farmers that supplied a stable economy for the empire. Then came the artisans that made the weapons and supplies for the samurai. Lastly, the merchants made up the bottom class. Even though most merchants were some of the wealthiest people in the society, they were still frowned upon by their peers. Japan at the time wanted nothing to do with the new western ways and technology, so they isolated themselves from the other cultures. The merchants however, made their money by trading with civilizations other than Japan. This made many Japanese people upset and angry because they did not want the old ways to be forgotten. Therefore, the merchants were greatly looked down upon in society.
At this time in the Empire, movement between social classes was at a stand still. No one could leave or enter a new class, and whatever class a person was born into was the one where they were going to stay. There were no slaves in the Tokugawa Empire, but the peasants that made up this class were treated very poorly. Like the other lower classes, peasants did not have the right to wear silk and other luxurious clothing. Those were to be kept for the warrior class, the Daimyos, Shogun and the Emperor.
Warriors:
This class was mostly made up of Samurai, who are highly skilled warriors. Often times, Samurai would become bureaucrats, who are people who help run a certain portion of the government, but only govern according to the laws and rules laid down by the ruler.
This class was mostly made up of Samurai, who are highly skilled warriors. Often times, Samurai would become bureaucrats, who are people who help run a certain portion of the government, but only govern according to the laws and rules laid down by the ruler.
Farmers:
Peasants made up 80 percent of the population in the Tokugawa Shogunate Empire. Their role was very important in maintaining a stable and prosperous economy. In order for the government to moderate the work of the farmers, there were strict regulations put in place for this social class: farmers were not allowed to participate in any non-agricultural related activities so that the economy would not fail. Since Japan isolated itself from other civilizations, its only source of profit came from the farm.
Peasants made up 80 percent of the population in the Tokugawa Shogunate Empire. Their role was very important in maintaining a stable and prosperous economy. In order for the government to moderate the work of the farmers, there were strict regulations put in place for this social class: farmers were not allowed to participate in any non-agricultural related activities so that the economy would not fail. Since Japan isolated itself from other civilizations, its only source of profit came from the farm.
Artisans:
The artisans made the armor and weapons for the warrior class. Although this job is very important in order for the Empire to continue to thrive, they were not appreciated as well as they could have been. This put artisans second to last on the social hierarchy.
The artisans made the armor and weapons for the warrior class. Although this job is very important in order for the Empire to continue to thrive, they were not appreciated as well as they could have been. This put artisans second to last on the social hierarchy.
Merchants:
Even though merchants were some of the wealthiest people in the empire, they were highly frowned upon in society, putting them at the bottom of the Social Hierarchy. Japan at the time was very isolated from the outside world, and the government wanted to keep it that way. Merchants however, traded with other civilizations, which brought in foreign ideas and beliefs. Many people in Japan did not want the ways to change in Japan, so they were unhappy with the merchants who continued to trade with other cultures.
Even though merchants were some of the wealthiest people in the empire, they were highly frowned upon in society, putting them at the bottom of the Social Hierarchy. Japan at the time was very isolated from the outside world, and the government wanted to keep it that way. Merchants however, traded with other civilizations, which brought in foreign ideas and beliefs. Many people in Japan did not want the ways to change in Japan, so they were unhappy with the merchants who continued to trade with other cultures.