Daimyos were powerful feudal lords in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). They governed large territories and held significant political and military power. Each daimyos controlled their own samurai warriors, who served them in exchange for land and protection. The daimyos played a crucial role in the social and economic structure of Japanese society. During the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, the daimyos lost their power as the Japanese government centralized authority and modernized the country. Many daimyos were stripped of their lands, and the samurai class was disbanded. This marked the end of the feudal system in Japan and the beginning of a new era.