Glossary Notes

Daimyo: A feudal lord in ancient Japan. In the sixteenth century, the power of the daimyos was unchecked.

Koku: A measure of rice (and wealth). One koku was the amount of rice required to support one person for one year. All fiefs are measured in koku.

Mon: The graphic symbol of a Daimyo’s house.

Ronin: An independent samurai.
Kurasawa's "Seven Samurai" were all ronin.

Shashimono: A battle flag, identifying the wearer's house, attached to thee back of a samurai's armor.

Shogun: The highest military rank in the Japanese feudal hierarchy.