Yes. Prior to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Edict on Changing Status in 1592, it was entirely possible for someone to advance themselves in Japanese society. Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself was a great example of this.
the military class
Both had a feudal system
no you were either anoble (royalty) or you were a peasant
japan
Edo
the military class
Merchants in feudal Japan were considered lower class citizens because their item(s) wasn't made by them, they were made by someone else.
Both had a feudal system
no you were either anoble (royalty) or you were a peasant
A rigid class structure
japan
Japan, because they could choose their husbands
ETA - a Greek letter and another word for Burakumin - outcaste people of feudal Japan
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http://www.japanesekimono.com
Buddhism and Shinto
1100-2064