Under the hierarchy of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants (shinokosho), there were discriminated classes called eta and hinin for a long time, and they were given duties which other people were unwilling to do (such as executioners, cleaning), and moreover, they became victims of discrimination policies enacted by feudal lords in order to maintain the shogunate system.
士農工商の下には、古くからあった穢多、非人と呼ばれる被差別階級があり、かれらは人の嫌がる仕事（刑死執行人・掃除など）を与えられ、その上、幕藩体制維持のために諸大名より差別政策の犠牲者となった。