Feudal Japan

Shogunate The shogun was the top military leader who rose to power after the fall of the Imperial Court. The shogun gave land to loyal followers, called daimyo, in exchange for military support and homage. Daimyo These regional feudal lords employed samurai to protect their land. Samurai These soldier-nobles were similar to the knights of feudal Europe. They were expected to live and die in the service of their lords, and would commit suicide by seppuku if they faced defeat. Other classes Below the samurai were farmers, artisans, and merchants. The majority of the population was made up of the working classes, who were responsible for putting food on the table and paying taxes. Land ownership Land was considered sacred, and social classes were determined by connection to it. Feudal system The Japanese feudal system was less contractually based and more personal than European feudalism.