the four social classes of Edo-period Japan
Historical term referring to the four hereditary classes: samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Used in discussions of Edo-period social structure.
In the Edo period, the four social classes were ranked in the order of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants.
equality of the four classes
From 四 (four) + 民 (people, subjects). A historical term for the four social classes in the Edo period.