daimyo

American  

[dahy-myaw] / ˈdaɪ myɔ /

Or daimio

noun

Japanese History.

daimyos plural

1. one of the great feudal lords who were vassals of the shogun.

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daimyo British  

/ ˈdaɪmjəʊ /

noun

1. (in Japan) one of the territorial magnates who dominated much of the country from about the 11th to the 19th century

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Etymology

Origin of daimyo

1830–40; < Japanese, equivalent to dai big, great (< Chinese ) + myō name (< Chin)

Explanation

In Japanese history, daimyo were feudal lords who controlled most of the country. The daimyo's power came from owning inherited land, which was often guarded by hired samurai. In the feudal hierarchy, the daimyo were under the control of the shogun, Japan's military ruler. Along with the bands of warriors they led, the daimyo held power over the country's provinces for about 700 years, until the 19th century. In Japanese, daimyo means "big name," from the Chinese words dai, "great," and myo, "name."

Example Sentences

In Japan, the daimyo elite and their samurai vassals retained their privileged position in society until the nineteenth century, hundreds of years after the Japanese adopted guns.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Although the daimyo were allowed to remain governors of their former lands, the samurai were no longer their retainers.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

These included rival daimyo as well as wealthy Buddhist monasteries aligned with them.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Below him were the daimyo, the powerful landholding samurai.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Besides, the daimyo in general became wiser and more docile in order not to lose their estates on account of any misdemeanour toward the Shogun.

From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Hara, Katsuro