Vassal

A vassal is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord, monarch, shogun or a person with similar authority. The obligations often included military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain privileges, usually including land held as a tenant or fief.

In Feudal Japan, the relations between the powerful daimyo and shugo and the subordinate ji-samurai bear some obvious resemblance to western vassalage, although there are also some significant differences.