Japanese Peasants Were

Japanese peasants were

A) generally more prosperous than merchants.
B) eligible to take the civil service examinations, which were the major way peasants could improve their social and economic status.
C) in the case of the eta, similar in social status to Indian untouchables or pariahs.
D) of a lower status than the merchants.
E) never engaged in rice cultivation because of the steepness of the landscape.