Final answer:
The shogun held supreme power in feudal Japan, followed by the daimyo, and then the samurai. Artisans, farmers, and merchants occupied the lower levels of the social hierarchy, although merchants had economic power despite their low rank.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the historical feudal society of Japan, power and rank were clearly delineated. The shogun was the military commander-in-chief and held the most power. Under the shogun were the daimyo, aristocratic lords with great influence and power over their own regions. The samurai were the warrior elite, serving the daimyo and the shogun, and they adhered to a strict code of conduct known as bushido.
The correct hierarchy in Tokugawa Japan, from highest to lowest, was: Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Artisans, Farmers, and Merchants. Although merchants were at the bottom of the social ladder, they often held considerable economic power. In contrast, the samurai were highly respected but were not necessarily wealthy.
While the emperor was the ceremonial head of state, during the period of shogunate rule, his power was largely symbolic, with the real governing power belonging to the military class. This separation between the imperial court and the military government was a key feature of Japanese feudal society.