Bonge

The Bonge is the social class in Rokugan comprimised of "those who work". This includes the peasants, merchants and craftsmen, and they are collectively referred to as heimin, or "half-people". Being of lower stature than samurai, the members of this class should always act polite in the company of samurai.

Ranking
The higest station within the Bonge is the farmer, whose work feeds the Empire. After the farmer follows the artisan and then the merchant who does not create anything, and therefore the least worthy.

Samurai
Some samurai, the Yasuki and Ide in particular, partake in commerce and sidestep the dishonor of doing so by presenting themselves as merchant patrons. A samurai is there to convince the customer of the worth of the product, and the peasants conduct the lowly business of exchaning coins for the goods.

Law
Heimin can bring charges against other heimin if they feel wronged in some way. The definition of wronged is left entirely up to the samuria's discretion however.

Major References

 * Legend of the Five Rings; Third Edition Page 28.