The Rise of the Warrior Class in Japan
Japanese Samurai Period Started in 1185 by Minamoto Yoritomo Ends in 1868 with emperor regaining power
Japanese/European Feudal Hierarchy Shogun King Daimyo Daimyo Lord Lord Samurai Samurai Samurai Knight Knight Knight
Shifting Loyalties Gradually power shifted from shogun to daimyos In the late 1400s daimyos fought a series of wars for control In 1603 Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun and sets up capital in Edo (Tokyo)
Samurai Training Military: horsemanship, archery, sword play, martial arts Self-control: enduring pain and suffering; consider themselves already dead Preparedness: always stay alert, “sixth sense”
Samurai Training (continued) Furu ike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto The old pond; A frog jumps in — The sound of the water. That was cool (huh-huh) When we killed that frog (huh-huh) It won't croak again Beavis and Butt-Head Writing and literature: calligraphy, poetry (Matsuo Basho, haikus) Tea Ceremony: harmony, reverence, and calm; political alliances
Samurai Battle Before battles, samurai shouted out their names, ancestors, deeds, and reason for fighting After battles, survivors of losing side were killed and opponents heads were severed, cleaned and mounted on boards.
Samurai Training in Spiritual Strength Amida or Pure Land Buddhism (people could reach paradise through the mercy of Amida Buddha) Zen Buddhism stressed effort, discipline, self-reliance and meditation
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior Honest, fair, fearless, loyal, honor Failure led to ritual suicide (seppuku)
Women in Samurai Society 12th century women had considerable status, some even were samurai: Tomoe Gozen is an example 17th century women were under control of men from birth to death; marriages were arranged, some even were supposed to commit suicide if husband died.
The Influence of Samurai Values Today WWII Japanese soldiers followed Bushido Kamikaze Judo Haikus, calligraphy, zen gardens, tea ceremony Ideals of loyalty to family, respect for rank