A daimyō was a powerful feudal lord in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). They governed large estates and had significant political and military authority. Each daimyō maintained their own samurai warriors and was responsible for the administration and defense of their territory. Daimyōs played a crucial role in the Japanese feudal system, which was characterized by a hierarchy of land ownership and loyalty. They were often required to spend time in the capital, Edo, as part of the sankin-kōtai system, which helped to centralize power and control over the daimyōs by the shogunate.