five ranks of nobility (Japan, 1868-1946)
Historical term referring to the peerage system under the Meiji Constitution: 公爵 (duke), 侯爵 (marquis), 伯爵 (count), 子爵 (viscount), 男爵 (baron).
See also: 五等爵 · 公爵 (こうしゃく) · 侯爵 (こうしゃく) · 伯爵 (はくしゃく) · 子爵 (ししゃく) · 男爵 (だんしゃく)
The five ranks of nobility formed the Japanese peerage system from the Meiji era until after the war.
The third rank: count.
The fourth rank: viscount.
The fifth rank: baron.
From 五 (five) + 爵 (peerage rank). The term was used during the period when Japan had a Western-style peerage system.