Shogun
The ones who held real power in early japans society were the Military leaders
In Japan's military society, particularly during the feudal period, power was held primarily by the samurai class, with the shogun as the highest military leader. The shogunate, often dominated by powerful clans, governed the country while the emperor remained a symbolic figure with little political power. This system established a hierarchy where loyalty and military prowess determined social standing and influence. Ultimately, the shogunate maintained control over Japan until the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century.
The top of Japanese feudal society was occupied by the Emperor, who was considered the highest authority and the symbolic leader of the country. However, during the feudal period, real power was held by the shogun, a military dictator who controlled the government and ruled on behalf of the Emperor.
A feudal estate, also known as a fief, is a piece of land held by a lord in the feudal system, which was prevalent in medieval Europe. The lord granted portions of this land to vassals in exchange for military service, loyalty, and other obligations. The feudal estate typically included not only agricultural land but also villages and the peasants who worked it, establishing a hierarchical system of power and responsibilities within medieval society.
French barons in the medieval feudal system held significant power and authority over their lands and vassals. They were responsible for governing their territories, providing military support to their overlords, and maintaining law and order. Barons also played a crucial role in the hierarchy of feudal society, serving as intermediaries between the king and the common people.
Samurai were the warrior class in Japanese society, with a privileged status above farmers and commoners. They served feudal lords and held significant power and influence. The samurai upheld a code of honor called Bushido, emphasizing loyalty, bravery, and self-discipline.
In feudal society, the individual was often viewed primarily in terms of their social class and obligations within the hierarchical structure. People were generally bound to the land they worked, with serfs and peasants having limited rights and freedoms, while nobles held power and land. Individual identity was largely linked to one’s role, such as that of a vassal or lord, and personal aspirations were typically subordinated to the needs of feudal loyalty and duty. Overall, the focus was on communal ties and obligations rather than individualism or personal agency.
In European feudal society, an individual's social status was primarily determined by birthright and land ownership. Nobility held power and privilege due to their titles and control over vast estates, while peasants and serfs worked the land and had limited rights. Additionally, one's role within the feudal hierarchy, such as being a vassal or a lord, influenced social standing and obligations. Overall, social mobility was rare, and status was largely inherited rather than earned.
Feudal Japan was dominated by the powerful regional families (damio) and the military rule of warlords (shogun), not the emperors.
In a feudal society, the least amount of work was typically done by the nobility, particularly those who held titles such as lords or barons. They were primarily responsible for governing their lands and managing their vassals, but they often relied on the labor of serfs and peasants for agricultural production and other work. Their status afforded them privileges and leisure, while the lower classes toiled to sustain the feudal system.
A lack of true central power weakened and doomed the Rus' to outside ... Lacking a feudal system of vassal loyalty made it impossible for any prince, .... In theory, this meant that the land was held under The Crown as ultimate feudal superior.
fief