Originally, shi-no-ko-sho was a categorization of citizenry in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in China (Shoshi hyakka (The Various Masters of the 100 Schools: Thinkers of Ancient China)), as described in "Kuan Tzu," 'the four social classes of government official, farmers, artisans, and merchants form the foundation of a country.'
本来、士農工商とは中国の春秋戦国時代（諸子百家）における民の分類法で例えば『管子』には「士農工商四民、国の礎」と記されている。