The Samurai

At the top of the social heirarchy was the warrior class and during this period it numbered about 2 million in a total population of around 25 million. This was a rather large number for a ruling class. Their duties were to serve their lords and loyalty was emphasized as the paramount virtue.

The samurai were internally divided into two basic groups - shi and sotsu. The shi or upper samurai were highding officials and the real aristocracy while the sotou or rural vassals served in lower positions. Marriage between the two for instance, was very difficult.

The income of samwai varied from 200 koku to 10,000 koku and because of the financial problems during this period their real incomes were declining and some married into merchant families to improve their financial position.

 

During this period of peace and stability the samurai code of conduct, known as bashido (i.e. the way of the warrior) was developed. The crux of the philosophy was that a samurai should at all times be ready to offer his life for his lord. Till 1663 many samurai would commit suicide (junshi) when their lords died. This practice was later forbidden. They also had the right to kill those of the lower classes if they were offended. Many suffering from lack of money and work often took tovendettas which became the subject of popular drama. Those samurai who had no master were known as ronin (masterless samurai). These unemployed men posed a social problem and in 1651 some of them even led an uprising.

The samurai derived their income from land but had no control over the land. In effect they received a stipend from the daimyo or shogun and if they held office then a stipend attached to that office as well. They were in return required to maintain a retinue depending on their status. With high degree of literacy,. as the cultivation of both material as well as literary arts was encouraged, they became government officials.

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