<P> The Tokugawa government intentionally created a social order called the Four divisions of society ( shinōkōshō ) , that would stabilize the country . This system was based on the ideas of Confucianism that spread to Japan from China . By this system , society was composed of samurai ( 侍 shi ) , farming peasants ( 農 nō ) , artisans ( 工 kō ) and merchants ( 商 shō ) . Samurai were placed at the top of society because they started an order and set a high moral example for others to follow . The system was meant to reinforce their position of power in society by justifying their ruling status . Peasants came second because they produced the most important commodity , food . According to Confucian philosophy , society could not survive without agriculture . Third were artisans because they produced nonessential goods . </P>
<P> The Tokugawa government intentionally created a social order called the Four divisions of society ( shinōkōshō ) , that would stabilize the country . This system was based on the ideas of Confucianism that spread to Japan from China . By this system , society was composed of samurai ( 侍 shi ) , farming peasants ( 農 nō ) , artisans ( 工 kō ) and merchants ( 商 shō ) . Samurai were placed at the top of society because they started an order and set a high moral example for others to follow . The system was meant to reinforce their position of power in society by justifying their ruling status . Peasants came second because they produced the most important commodity , food . According to Confucian philosophy , society could not survive without agriculture . Third were artisans because they produced nonessential goods . </P>
what made up the three tiers of the japanese political system around 1600
what made up the three tiers of the japanese political system around 1600
samurai farming peasants artisans merchants
samurai farming peasants artisans merchants