Feudal Japan: The rigid class system in feudal Japanese society.

Between the 12th and 19th centuries, feudal Japan had an elaborate four tier class system.

Unlike European feudal society, in which the peasants (or serfs) were at the bottom, the Japanese feudal class structure placed merchants on the lowest spot. Confucian ideals emphasized the importance of productive members of society, so farmers and fishermen had higher status than shop-keepers in Japan.

At the top of the pile was the samurai class.