– the East Asian historical law system based on the philosophies of Confucianism and Chinese Legalism. In Japan, ritsuryō was in effect during the late Asuka period, the Nara period and the early Heian period. The Taihō-ritsuryō (大宝律令, Code of Taihō) was a key element of the ritsuryō. rōjū (老中) – one of the highest-ranking government posts in the Tokugawa shogunate. There were usually four or five rōjū. rōnin (浪人) – a samurai without a lord or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan. S sadaijin (左大臣) – Senior Minister of State overseeing all branches of the Department of State with his deputy, the udaijin. sakoku (鎖国) – the "self-isolation" policy followed during the Edo period (1603–1867), under which Japan engaged in limited trade or communication with the outside world. samurai (侍) – the feudal Japanese noble warrior class. sankin-kōtai (参勤交代) – the Edo period (1603–1867) policy under which feudal lords (daimyōs) had to travel to the capital in Edo annually, and to leave their families in Edo year-round. This was used by the shōgun (warlord leader of the nation) to prevent rebellion. Sengoku period (戦国時代, sengoku jidai) was a time of social upheaval and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. seppuku (切腹) – honorable ritual suicide. Also called hara-kiri. One of the death penalties which respected a samurai's honor. The belly was ceremonially cut and an assistant then cut the head from the back. Suicide allowed a samurai to keep his honor because it was considered dishonorable for a samurai to be killed by others. sesshō (摂政) – Imperial regent for a child emperor or empress; the regent often continued in this role, changing titles to kampaku once the child emperor came of age. shikken (執権) – the regent for the shōgun during the Kamakura shogunate. The Hōjō clan monopolized the shikken post and was therefore the effective ruler of Japan. shinbutsu bunri (神仏分離) – The forcible separation of Buddhism and Shinto, in particular during the Meiji era. shinto (神道) – is the traditional religion of Japan that focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto and Buddhism Separation Order (神仏判然令, Shinbutsu Hanzenrei) - A Meiji era law that forbade the mixing of Buddhism and Shinto, an effort to weaken