Samurai (warriors) were positioned at the governing class in the hierarchy called "Shinokosho" ("warriors, peasants, artisans and merchants") (Although it is pointed out that the term of "Shinokosho" was not correctly representing the order of hereditary social status at that time.)
また、士農工商などといわれる身分制度によって武士を支配階級に位置づけた（もっとも士農工商という言葉は当時の階級を正確に表してはいないと指摘されている）。