Social class

Definition

Social class refers to the hierarchical divisions within society based on factors such as wealth, occupation, education, and social status. In premodern Japan, social class played a crucial role in shaping individuals' identities and experiences, influencing their relationships, opportunities, and societal roles. The exploration of social class in various forms of literature and performance, including comic interludes, often reveals insights into the values and conflicts of the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In premodern Japan, society was typically structured into four main classes: samurai, farmers (peasants), artisans, and merchants, each with distinct roles and statuses.
2. Kyōgen, a traditional form of Japanese comic theatre, often used humor to critique and satirize the expectations and behaviors associated with different social classes.
3. The samurai class held a privileged position within the social hierarchy, enjoying rights and privileges that were not accessible to lower classes like merchants and peasants.
4. Social mobility was limited in premodern Japan; individuals generally remained within their assigned class for their lifetime, which influenced personal aspirations and community dynamics.
5. Kyōgen performances highlighted the absurdities and contradictions of class distinctions, often allowing audiences to laugh at the pompous behaviors of higher classes while showcasing the cleverness of lower classes.

Review Questions

• How does Kyōgen utilize humor to comment on the differences between social classes in premodern Japan?
  • Kyōgen effectively uses humor to highlight the absurdities present in the interactions between different social classes. By showcasing exaggerated characteristics and situations that reflect the traits associated with each class, Kyōgen allows audiences to recognize societal norms while also questioning them. This comedic approach encourages a reflection on class relations and promotes a sense of shared human experience across all levels of society.
• Discuss the implications of social class for individuals living in premodern Japan as depicted in Kyōgen performances.
  • In Kyōgen performances, social class greatly influenced characters' behaviors, motivations, and interactions. The strict hierarchy meant that characters from higher classes often portrayed arrogance or entitlement, while those from lower classes displayed wit or cunning as a means of navigating their limitations. These portrayals reflect the real societal constraints individuals faced and provoke thought about how social structures impacted personal identity and community relationships.
• Evaluate how Kyōgen serves as a reflection of societal attitudes toward social class during its development in premodern Japan.
  • Kyōgen serves as a crucial lens through which we can evaluate societal attitudes toward social class in premodern Japan. By combining comedy with sharp social commentary, Kyōgen reveals both reverence for certain classes like the samurai while also critiquing their failings. This duality indicates a complex relationship between admiration and satire within social commentary. The ability to mock higher classes while celebrating lower ones highlights a nuanced understanding of human behavior across all levels of society.

Related terms

samurai: A member of the warrior class in premodern Japan who held significant social and political power, often serving as military leaders and retainers to the ruling elite.

merchants: Individuals engaged in trade and commerce who, despite their wealth, were often considered to occupy a lower social status than the samurai class in the rigid social hierarchy of premodern Japan.

peasants: The largest social class in premodern Japan, consisting of agricultural workers who provided essential food resources but often faced economic hardship and limited social mobility.