The Four-Tierred Class System of Feudal Japan - Visual Breakdown

The era in which I draw most cultural influence for this project is Japan. In particular, between the 12th and 19th century of feudal Japan, where the elaborate tier system divided the people both structurally and aesthetically.  I decided to study this region in particular based on the wide diversity of influence and visuals available. In addition to this, I believe this era of Japan has the strongest recognizable shape language, which makes for strong concepts.

On beginning this research, I realised just how vast the Japanese Feudal era really was.
The below pyramid represents the complex hierarchy in which this era adhered to.

This is a fairly extensive list of classes, so below I have collated each individual class into a more manageable 4 categories. For aesthetic reasons, the highest rank I am researching at the moment is samurai. The reason being that the character I am designing will not be an emperor, shogun or daimyo, as Jack is seen to be of average to poor in status, ranging from variations of the Giant Killer tale.

Samurai

Samurai and their Lords (Daimyo) wielded vast power and wealth, thus are the highest class in feudal japanese society. Each Daimyo would own an area of land, and an army of samurai to command. These samurai would answer only to their Daimyo, and this lord would only answer to their military leader, a Shogun.

Visual Aspect:

Samurai would traditionally wear wide-legged pants known as Hakama. First worn by samurai horseman in order to protect their legs. They are similar to the wide leather pants worn by cowboys, but made from thick fabric. Hakama were originally used as functional armour, but later were worn as a sign of status to distinguish those of power.
The samurai often wore a long jacket known as a Kataginu. These were long sleeveless jackets with padded shoulders, and this ensemble was often completed with a silk cord belt.

Famers/Peasants

Interestingly enough, below the Samurai in this tier system are the farmers and peasants. They were considered an honoured class, as they supplied every class with the necessary food and supplies to live. Despite this, farmers were taxed hugely by their lords for most of the era, often not being permitted to consume their own produce.

Visual Aspect:

Despite being a valued class, farmers and peasants predominantly wore rough wool or linen. These were often handmade, and served as their primary item of clothing every day. Men wore tunics and long stockings, usually red, brown or grey in colour. In colder months, they would wear cloaks made from leather and wool, or a large rice straw poncho known as a Mino.

Artisans

Artisans produced many necessary goods including clothing, cooking utensils, farm tools, and ship anchors. Even the prestigious swordmakers who were charged with forging powerful samurai blades were considered below farmers and peasants.

Visual Aspect:

The artisans wore similarly styled clothing to peasants, basic kimonos made from rough wool or linen. Like the farmers, artisans were valued for their work but not paid as so.

Merchants

Unlike our current society, merchants were considered the lowest of the tier system. Merchants were often hated for their self-beneficial traits, often profiting from the artesans and peasants above them. Merchants were forced to live in a separate area of the city, and were forbidden to interact with any of the other class tiers on subjects that did not contain business.

Visual Aspect:

Dark coloured kimono similar to peasants and artisans.

Character design studies were created from these findings. They combine the newly utilized visual culture knowledge and my own personal character style to create new and interesting designs. These concepts will then be taken forward for use in higher-polished concept work, or used to create character turnarounds.