Japanese nobility, known as the kuge, historically comprised the aristocratic class in Japan, particularly during the Heian period (794-1185). This elite group included court officials and noble families who held significant political and cultural influence, often residing in the imperial capital of Kyoto. Their status was marked by refined manners, education, and patronage of the arts. With the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of the shogunate, the power of the kuge diminished. However, the nobility retained ceremonial roles and privileges, especially during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, when the modern peerage system was introduced, formalizing their status in contemporary Japan.