daimyo
Feudal Japanese ruler
A daimyo was a feudal lord in Japan, a powerful territorial magnate who controlled land and commanded samurai warriors.
The daimyo held sway from the medieval period through the 19th century, when the Meiji Restoration abolished the feudal system.
The daimyo's castle dominated the surrounding province.
Ruling samurai dynasty, 1600s-1800s
- shogunateMilitary dictatorship in Japan
- sakokuTokugawa-era isolation policy
- sankin-kotaiRequired periodic capital residence
- castle townCommunity surrounding a stronghold
Military dictatorship in Japan
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- fiefdomFeudal territory under lord
- castleFortified medieval residence
- retainerUpfront professional fee
liege · suzerain · fealty · domain · fief · manor · levy · oath
Fortified medieval residence
- provinceRegional administrative district
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- fiefGranted feudal estate
- estateProperty and grounds
holdings · prefecture · clan · jurisdiction · borders · governance · administration · castle town
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- lordNobleman or ruler
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- lineageDescent from progenitors
ancestry · hereditary · dynasty · hierarchy · court · title · succession · primogeniture
Tokugawa
Ruling samurai dynasty, 1600s-1800s
- shogunateMilitary dictatorship in Japan
- sakokuTokugawa-era isolation policy
- sankin-kotaiRequired periodic capital residence
castle town · Kyoto · unification · abolition
shogunate
Military dictatorship in Japan
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- fiefdomFeudal territory under lord
- castleFortified medieval residence
retainer · liege · suzerain · fealty · domain · fief · manor · levy · oath · homage
castle
Fortified medieval residence
estate · holdings · prefecture · clan · jurisdiction · borders · governance · administration · castle town · regional
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
lineage · ancestry · hereditary · dynasty · hierarchy · court · title · succession · primogeniture · blueblood
bushido
Samurai honor system
seppuku · retainer · warrior · kenjutsu · iaido · kabuto · martial · loyalty