photo #2201618

🥋 hatamoto (旗本, "Guardian of the banner") It was not until the Edo period (1603-1868) that a fully standardised system of status and rankings developed for samurai. There were three principal ranks:Gokenin (housemen), the lowest and vassals of a feudal lord.Goshi (rustic warrior), they could farm their land but could not have the two swords of the full samurai rank.Hatamoto (bannermen), the highest rank. Only these warriors were expected to die to protect their lord's interests.