peerage system; aristocratic class system
Historical term referring to the Meiji-era system of peerage ranks (1869–1947), modeled after European nobility.
The peerage system was introduced in the Meiji period and abolished after the war.
華族 refers to the peerage class itself, while 華族制度 refers to the institutional system of ranks and privileges.
士族 was the former samurai class after the Meiji Restoration, distinct from the higher 華族 peerage.
Compound of 華族 (peerage, from 華 'splendor' + 族 'family/class') and 制度 (system). The term 華族 was coined in the Meiji era to translate European concepts of nobility.