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Asked by: Kristel Burgoa
religion and spirituality buddhismWhy was there a strict division of social classes in Japan?
Also question is, how did people live in the Shogunate period in Japan did they have social classes?
The Neo-Confucian theory that dominated Japan during the Tokugawa Period recognized only four social classes–warriors (samurai), artisans, farmers and merchants–and mobility between the four classes was officially prohibited. With peace restored, many samurai became bureaucrats or took up a trade.
- Emperor.
- Court Nobility.
- Shōgun.
- Daimyō
- Samurai.
- Peasants.
- Artisans.
- Merchants.
Similarly, you may ask, what was considered the highest social class in feudal Japan?
Shoguns in feudal Japan The shogun was the highest class in the noble class. They were also the military and political leader of feudal Japan and held the most power.
Under the Tokugawa rule, the government was a feudal military dictatorship called bakufu, with the shogun at the top. The forced opening of Japan following US Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 undoubtedly contributed to the collapse of the Tokugawa rule.