Shizoku
Encyclopedia
The was a social class merged with former Samurai
on 25 July 1869, as part of the Meiji Restoration
. It was a class distinct from the Kuge
(former Daimyo
), and Heiman
(commoners). The Shizoku, as former Samurai, retained some of their salaries, but the right to wear a katana
in public was eventually abolished along with the right to execute commoners who paid them disrespect. After the Empire of Japan
lost World War II
, the name Shizoku disappeared under the Japanese Constitution on 1 January 1947.
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
on 25 July 1869, as part of the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
. It was a class distinct from the Kuge
Kuge
The was a Japanese aristocratic class that dominated the Japanese imperial court in Kyoto until the rise of the Shogunate in the 12th century at which point it was eclipsed by the daimyo...
(former Daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
), and Heiman
Heiman
Heiman is the surname of:* Daniel Heiman, musician* Irwin M. Heiman , of New York and California* Julia Heiman, American sexologist and psychologist* Shlomo Heiman, Rabbi* Susan Heiman, a Miss Missouri...
(commoners). The Shizoku, as former Samurai, retained some of their salaries, but the right to wear a katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
in public was eventually abolished along with the right to execute commoners who paid them disrespect. After the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
lost World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the name Shizoku disappeared under the Japanese Constitution on 1 January 1947.