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The Samurai History Europe was not the
only area to have a warrior class. Japan developed a society similar
to the feudal system of medieval Europe, and the equivalent of the knight
was the elite Samurai, named from the Japanese word for "guard." After the Gempai War of 1180-1185 Japan was ruled by an emperor, but real power lay with the military leader or Shogun. In the Muromachi period, there came an Era of Warring States (sengoku jidai, 1467-1573), the Shogun's power was weakened and the barons or daimyo split Japan into of dozens of independent states which were constantly fighting each other. Consequently, the demand for samurai was very high. Between the wars, many samurai were working on farms. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi reunited Japan in the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603) , he started introducing a rigid social caste system that was later completed by Tokugawa Ieyasu and his successors. Hideyoshi forced all samurai to decide between a life on the farm and a warrior life in castle towns. In the Edo Period (1603 - 1868), the samurai stood at the top of the social hierarchy, followed by the farmers, artisans and merchants. Furthermore, there were hierarchies within each caste. All samurai were forced to live in castle towns and received income from their lords in form of rice. During the early period, a source of minor
troubles were the ronin. The ronin is a masterless samurai who have
lost their status due to their own misdeeds or the untimely death of their
lord. Ronin became farmers, monks, soldiers of fortune or even bandits,
beggars, and assassins. Many committed ritual suicide (seppuku). Samurai Philosophy Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of Bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Strongly Confucian in nature, Bushido stresses concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline and respectful, ethical behavior. After a defeat or similar event, many samurai chose to commit seppuku by cutting their abdomen rather than die a dishonorable death. Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), also known as the story of the Forty-Seven Ronin, is one of the most famous and popular of all Japanese dramas. Written in the 18th century as a bunraku (puppet theatre), it is now best known through Kabuki theatre performances. Due to its popularity, many film versions have been produced. It is a true story about 47 ronin who avenged their lord, and committed seppuku in 1703. They are a model of loyalty and self-sacrifice exemplifying bushido. The gravesite of the 47 ronin at Sengakuji Temple is visited and honoured by thousands of Japanese every year. This event is remembered each year in Japan on December 14th. Samurai Weapons The weapons and armour of the Samurai were quite unique. Developed over many centuries, the armour was far more decorative than that worn by European or Middle Eastern warriors of the period. Samurai weapons are well-known for their superb construction, especially the swords, which were without doubt the finest ever made. During the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi orbade anyone but the samurai to arm themselves with a sword, with the exception of the Shogun. The Katana (long sword) and Wakizashi (short sword), known as "Daisho," were for the exclusive use of the warrior sect and were the soul of the Samurai. Inside the home, the Katana was kept in a support whilst the Wakizashi was worn on the person. The wakizashi was sometimes a preferred choice for seppuku. Both swords were used in battle. A Samurai sword consists of a blade made by covering a soft iron core with layers of steel, and a hilt often made from wood covered with fish skin and bound with flat braid. The blade was protected by a scabbard (saya) of lacquered wood.
The dagger (Tanto) was also used in the ritual of seppuku and was the only weapon which could be used by women and merchants. A small knife known as the kozuka and a skewer, the the kogai, were carried either side of tanto scabbards. At that time, the most valued gift that a Shogun or Daimyo could present to a Samurai was a Samurai sword. Today it is still the custom in Japan to make a gift of a Samurai sword on special occasions, as a reminder and respect for the past. Click here to visit the gift shop
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