a ceramic made of fine clay baked at very high temperatures

a group of related families

“great names”; the head of noble families in Japan who controlled vast landed estates and relied on samurai for protection

approximately 250 domains into which Japan was divided under the Tokugawa

a daimyo’s family was held by the shogunate to make sure the daimyo kept his promises.

Japan’s outcast class whose way of life was strictly regulated by the Tokugawa

a part of a continent, as distinguished from peninsulas or offshore islands

an administrative organization that relies on nonelective officials and regular procedures

"general", a powerful military leader in Japan

warriors (samurai) who traveled the countryside looking for jobs, did not have a master or lord

"those who serve"; Japanese warriors similar to the knights of medieval Europe