1. Samurai (Bushi):
- The samurai were the highest-ranked social class and held political and military power.
- They were trained in martial arts and were responsible for maintaining law and order.
- Samurai were loyal to their lords (daimyo) and followed a code of honor called "bushido."
2. Peasants (Hyakusho):
- The peasants were the largest social class, making up the majority of the population.
- They were engaged in agriculture and worked on the land.
- Peasants were bound to the land and had to pay taxes to their samurai landlords.
3. Artisans (Shokunin):
- Artisans were skilled craftsmen who produced various goods such as pottery, textiles, and metalwork.
- They often lived in specialized neighborhoods within cities and formed guilds.
- Artisans were considered lower in status than samurai but higher than merchants.
4. Merchants (Chonin):
- Merchants were at the bottom of the Tokugawa social hierarchy.
- They were involved in trade and commerce, primarily within cities.
- Merchants were often wealthy but were looked down upon by the samurai for their profit-oriented activities.
5. Social Restrictions:
- The social classes were strictly separated, with marriage, adoption, and even dress codes regulated to maintain social boundaries.
- Social mobility was limited, and individuals were generally expected to remain within their designated social class.
- The Tokugawa shogunate strictly controlled social interactions, emphasizing loyalty and obedience within the rigidly structured society.
This rigid social hierarchy aimed to maintain stability and preserve the power dynamics within Tokugawa Japan. It shaped the values, customs, and interactions among people of different social classes for over two centuries of Tokugawa rule.