be system; Yamato period occupational group system
Historical term referring to the system of hereditary occupational groups (部, be) under the Yamato court. Primarily encountered in texts on ancient Japanese history.
See also: 部 (べ)
The be system was the foundation of the Yamato court's ruling structure.
We learned about the be system in history class.
Compound of 部民 (べみん, 'be people') + 制 (せい, 'system'). The term describes the historical Yamato-period institution.