How did the role of the daimyo change?

The role of the daimyo in Japan evolved significantly during the Edo period (1603-1868). Initially, they were powerful feudal lords with substantial autonomy and military authority over their domains. However, under the Tokugawa shogunate, their power was curtailed as they were required to reside in Edo (modern Tokyo) and participate in the sankin-kotai system, which involved alternating residence between their domains and the capital. This shift transformed the daimyo into more of a bureaucratic role, focusing on governance and regional administration rather than military dominance.