四し民みん

noun

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.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの四し民みんは、士し農のう工こう商しょうの順じゅんに序じょ列れつ化かされていた。

  In the Edo period, the four social classes were ranked in the order of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants.