daimyo
Americannoun
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daimyo,
plural
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daimyos
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In 1869, the daimyo surrendered their titles and their land to the emperor.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022
Through this “alternate attendance policy” and other restrictions, Ieyasu tamed the daimyo.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012
These included rival daimyo as well as wealthy Buddhist monasteries aligned with them.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012
A number of ambitious daimyo hoped to gather enough power to take control of the entire country.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012
The samurai and gentry gathered in and around second-rate towns in large territories belonging to powerful daimyo may be included also in the same group.
From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Katsuro Hara
By 1590, Hideyoshi had defeated all the daimyos in Japan and required that they declare their loyalty to him.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022
He also feared that by adopting the foreign faith, he would give disloyal daimyos opportunities to conspire against him.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022
The Portuguese and Spanish arrived in Japan when powerful daimyos were each fighting to unify the country and bring it under their rule.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022
Ieyasu prohibited daimyos from forming alliances, including marriages, without his approval.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022
Before the Restoration the farmers were the tenants of the daimyos' vassals, the samurai, or of the daimyos direct.
From The Foundations of Japan Notes Made During Journeys Of 6,000 Miles In The Rural Districts As A Basis For A Sounder Knowledge Of The Japanese People by J.W. Robertson Scott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
