1.
the samurai class; the former-warrior (shizoku) class
The social class made up of former samurai families, an official category designated in the Meiji era after feudal warrior status was abolished.
彼は士族階級の出身だ。
He comes from the samurai class.
明治時代に士族階級の特権は失われた。
In the Meiji era, the privileges of the samurai class were lost.
士族階級の多くは、職を失って生活に苦しんだ。
Many of the former samurai class lost their positions and struggled to make a living.
Composed of 士族 ('former-samurai family class') + 階級 ('class, rank'). 士族 was an official social category created in the Meiji period for ex-samurai households.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
After the feudal system was dismantled, samurai lost their stipends and privileges. The phrase 士族の商法 ('samurai's way of doing business') mocks their often-unsuccessful ventures into commerce.
RELATED WORDS:
- 華族: the peerage/nobility class of the same era
- 平民: commoners