The clan leaders (daimyos) were the highest class other than the Imperial family.
A feudal system
A. Power was based on class relationships
Feudalism was based on a hierarchy of needs, where serfs and peasants were at the bottom, and the Pope and highest leaders were at the top.
decentralized government
Shogun
The clan leaders (daimyos) were the highest class other than the Imperial family.
Daimyos.Apex.
Feudalism in japan was similar to European feudalism as they both involved the same heirachy and therefore was quite simialr apart from the class definitions.
The lowest class of people in Japanese feudalism were the hinin, who were considered outcasts and had no rights or privileges in society. Merchants, while initially held in low regard due to their association with money-making, eventually gained wealth and influence as the economy developed.
In Japanese feudalism, the highest classes were the samurai and the ruling shogunate. The samurai, as the warrior class, were granted land and privileges in exchange for their loyalty and military service to their lords, known as daimyo. Above them, the shogun held the highest political power, effectively ruling the country while the emperor remained a symbolic figurehead. This hierarchical structure reinforced the social order and responsibilities among the classes.
Both the European and Japanese feudal systems developed as a result of a weak central government.
A feudal system
The daimyo class was the middle class in the Japanese feudal system. The shoguns were above and the peasants were below.
Feudalism
feudalism
Both Japanese and European feudalism left significant legacies, but they manifested differently. European feudalism laid the groundwork for modern nation-states and legal systems, influencing governance and social structures in the West. In contrast, Japanese feudalism created a unique cultural identity, deeply rooted in samurai ethics and bushido, which continues to shape Japanese society today. Ultimately, the lasting impact of each system is evident in their respective cultures, with European feudalism influencing political frameworks and Japanese feudalism preserving cultural traditions and values.
A. Power was based on class relationships