OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Daimyo Name Generator
Japanese Warlord and Feudal Lord Names With Domains, Castles and Ambitions
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How the Daimyo Name Generator works
A daimyo name generator for the warlords of feudal Japan. Pick a detail and generate a daimyo or shogun name, a lord with their domain and rice income, the castle they rule from, or their secret ambition. Every lord is fictional, for historical fiction, strategy games and roleplay.
How the daimyo name generator works
A daimyo was a feudal lord who ruled a domain and commanded samurai, and the shogun was the military ruler above them all. Names use the clan first, then a given name. Wealth was measured in koku, the rice needed to feed one person for a year, so a daimyo needed at least 10,000 koku. Castles and ambitions give each lord a base and a plot. For their warriors, try the samurai name generator.
Shogun and daimyo
The emperor reigned, but the shogun ruled. Daimyo swore loyalty to the shogun, but in times of war they fought each other for land, and the strongest daimyo sometimes became shogun themselves.
FAQ
What is a daimyo?
A daimyo was a powerful feudal lord in Japan who ruled a domain, collected rice taxes and led an army of samurai. The title was used from roughly the tenth century until the domains were abolished in 1871.
What is the difference between a shogun and a daimyo?
The shogun was the supreme military ruler of Japan, appointed by the emperor. Daimyo were regional lords below the shogun. They controlled their own lands but had to obey the shogun and visit the capital regularly.
What is a koku?
A koku was a measure of rice, roughly enough to feed one person for a year. A daimyo's power was measured by how many koku their land produced, from ten thousand to over one million.
Can I use these in a strategy game?
Yes. The lords, domains, castles and ambitions are fictional and free to use in strategy games, tabletop campaigns and fiction. The ambition option gives each rival lord a secret to discover during play.
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