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

The local daimyo confiscated the vessel’s cargo, which Japanese law allowed, and when the ship’s captain protested, the daimyo suggested he approach Mashita Nagamori, one of the shogun’s officials, for assistance.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

A number of ambitious daimyo hoped to gather enough power to take control of the entire country.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Hideyoshi set out to destroy the daimyo that remained hostile.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Japan was unified, but the daimyo still governed at the local level.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The territories owned by great feudatories or daimyo in the Ashikaga age were by no means compact entities definitely bounded.

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