Kokujin-ryoshu sei was a thesis concerning the structure of Japan during the late medieval period (the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (Japan), the Muromachi period, and the Sengoku period - period of warring states) -- accordingly, the structure should be comprehended through research of movement of kokujin-ryoshu (local samurai lords) who directly ruled the farmers.
国人領主制（こくじんりょうしゅせい）とは、中世後期の日本（南北朝時代(日本)・室町時代・戦国時代(日本)）の体制を、直接農民層を支配していた国人領主の動向から把握すべきであるとする考え。