Edo Japan's four-tiered class system?

Question:

I know that the top tier was the Samurai, then the peasants, then artisans, and finally the merchants, but I was wondering where doctors fit in?

Thanks

Answer:

Since there was no nation-wide examinations for the doctors back then, most doctors were directly "employed" by local Daimyos who issue doctor's license. So, they were close to the Samurai class. But, many of them were running their own clinics, and taking care of everybody in town at the same time.

Please note that the four-tiered class system in the Edo period was not so rigid as the caste structure in India. In Japan, it was no more than a political system to govern the civilians. As long as the civilians do not revolt against the government, both Tokugawa Shogunate and local Daimyos were flexible and permissive about business exchanges among the commoners.