Castletowns were military centers where government officials and samurai lived in Japan. They were designed strategically to be prepared for battle with fortified walls to keep armies out, while also providing a safe place for residents. The layout placed the castle in the center, surrounded by zones for different social classes - with highest ranking samurai closest to the castle, then lower ranking samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants furthest from the center.

1. CASTLETOWNS By: Rebecca K., Kevin P.,& Arif C.

2. What Castle Towns Were Were military centers for government officials and their samurai to live Designed to be ready to battle Tough enough to keep armies out However, they were peaceful towns Very safe place

3. Samurai Class Highest ranked class Samurai class contained the Shogun, Emperor, Daimyo, and other government officials Was the wealthiest class Lived closest to the castle Lived in farm houses except for the castles which higher ranked samurai lived in A statue of an Ancient Japanese Samurai

4. Peasant class Were the 2 nd highest ranked Made up most of the population Were ranked so high because they produced food which was highly valued Were the poorest Lived in small huts Paid their taxes with rice Peasants working in the fields

5. Artisan class 3 rd highest ranked class Not as respected as peasants because they didn’t produce things that you needed to survive Lived in the same type of homes as merchants Were skilled in making items to help people get things done Artisans crafting items

6. Merchant class Ranked so low because they don’t produce anything They just buy and sell Most were very wealthy Couldn’t be samurai House depended on wealth Houses could be from small houses to large farms They had separate forms of entertainment-wrestling, gambling, and Kabuki theatre Merchants selling items at a market

7. Layout Was formed based on class Castle was in the middle of the town The highest ranking official lived in the castle, a Daimyo The lower ranking samurai lived outside of the castle Intruders had to pass several gates and samurai before getting to the castle The layout of an old Castle town