Samurai

How did Samurai first start?: Japan was broken up into several separate clans, and the environment became unstable and bandits roamed the vast land of Japan. Wealthy landowners raised armies to protect them. Thus the start of Samurai.

Code of Bushido and Samurai Values:
This is also called “The Way of the Warrior”. Samurai existed in order to protect and serve the Shogun. Samurai must be honest, fair, and they had to be fearless in the face of death. They had to value loyalty and personal honor over their own lives. In many cases they had to take their own lives for failing duties or betraying the Shogun. This was called Seppuku or ritual suicide.
Seppuku was an elaborate ceremony. Guests were invited. You would eat you last meal after bathing, and changing into white clothing. Then a Tanto, or ceremonial dagger would be placed in front of you.

Training:
Usually a Samurai would begin their training at ages 5-7. Since you reading this you must be older than that, or you have someone reading this to you, or your just a really good reader. Anyway, they started at such a young age because they believed a child should be able to protect themselves from the surrounding dangers, like family enemies or robbers. The father and male relatives would provide the early combat training. They were taught archery, military tactics, unarmed combat, riding, and how to handle a spear.
They also trained using self control, mental training, and meditation. Samurai would train their body to be able to withstand the harshest of conditions, and always being prepared for anything, like attacks from enemies. Samurai trained their minds as well. They stayed aware of their surroundings.
Samurai were also taught literature and writing. They practiced calligraphy and wrote poetry. They wrote haiku’s. They learned this because they were expected to be students of culture and not just fierce warriors. Writing and literature was important to their culture.

Religion:
Most Samurai were Buddhists. There were two types of Buddhism. Zen, and Amida. The original religion of Japan was Shinto, the belief or nature spirits and sacred power. If you really wanted to get a feel of being a Samurai, you should study up on their religion and beliefs. Samurai based they way they lived off their religion. Japan borrowed Buddhism from China. Zen is based on meditation. The word “Zen” itself means meditation. It is for enlightenment and self knowledge. Amida Buddhism oriented from the figure Amida Buddha. Amida means “Immeasurable Life and Light”.

Armor:
Every Samurai needs armor and weapons. The down part about Samurai armor was that is was heavy. Samurai wore a colorful robe called a Hitatare kamishimo underneath all of their armor, though most sources say kimono. The armor was made of rows of small metal plates that are coated with lacquer and laced together with colorful silk cords. Their armor was made to make it easy for them to move, but was still good for protection. Since their armor was heavy, the Samurai needed help putting it on so their wives would help them put it on.
Samurai used bows and arrows, spears, their hands, and swords as weapons. A Samurai’s sword was the most prized weapon. They were the finest swords in the world. They were flexible but hard enough not to break. They were also razor sharp. Samurai swords were sharp enough to cut off a persons head.

Vocabulary:

Shogun: commander of Japan’s armed force

Samurai: a member of a powerful military caste, meaning “those who serve”

Haiku: Japanese poem, invented by the Samurai, three lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables

Seppuku: another term for harakiri, ritual suicide

Shinto: Japanese religion for worship or ancestors, nature spirits and a belief in sacred powers

Buddhism: no creator god, belief in karma
Zen: enlightenment through meditation
Amida: believed all people could reach paradise by relying on the mercy of Amida Buddha.

Lacquer: liquid made hard to protect metal, and wood when drys

Tanto: Japanese short sword or dagger