What Was the Role of Peasants in Feudal Japan?

Peasants were categorized into different levels. They included farmers, craftsmen and merchants. The work of farmers was to ensure that there was sufficient food. Nearly half of the rice grown by the farmers was taken to the lord of the castle. Farmers wore clothes made from hemp and cotton. Craftsmen worked with metal and wood and played a vital role in making swords. Merchants took the lowest level among the peasants because they were gaining from other people's work.