daimyo

American  

[dahy-myaw] / ˈdaɪ myɔ /

Or daimio

noun

Japanese History.

plural

daimyo, daimyos

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

The government stipends given to daimyo and samurai were made subject to taxation in 1873, and beginning in 1876 they were distributed in the form of government bonds.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

His victory earned him the loyalty of daimyo throughout Japan.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Rival daimyo often fought each other for territory.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The shogun parceled out land to the daimyo, or lords.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Nevertheless, the legal status of the samurai versus the daimyo had never been the relation of slave and master.

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