The Samurai
At this time period of Japan, the role of military fell on none other than the samurai. They often acted as the policemen, administrators, guards, etc. of Japan.
The Typical Samurai
Samurai carried the daisho (long and short sword). Only samurai could have
these, so this symbolized their power. They also had helmets,as well as breast,
arm, and leg armor, usually made of iron. Their armor was put together by
leather and lacquer that attached the many pieces of iron together to form a
samurai's full gear. The helet often had boar hair on it to keep them warm.
these, so this symbolized their power. They also had helmets,as well as breast,
arm, and leg armor, usually made of iron. Their armor was put together by
leather and lacquer that attached the many pieces of iron together to form a
samurai's full gear. The helet often had boar hair on it to keep them warm.
The Other Typical Samurai
Some also carried spears.
More Other Typical Samurai
Or even bows and arrows.
More than Typical Samurai
If you were of high enough rank, you would be seen with a horse too.
Into the Eyes...of the Samurai
Samurai were officially called buke, and followed bushido, the way of the warrior. This stressed that one must be able to start war, but also be at peace with oneself. But most importantly, it stressed loyalty and honor.
The Bond
The Samurai stressed was their servitude to their masters, the
daimyo and shogun. These were their overlords and they had total control over
the samurai. When a person pledges their loyalty, they write a document with
their blood, burnt it, and drank the ashes, symbolizing that the contract
between master and samurai were forever lasting. This sense of loyalty and
seritude branch off of the teachings of confusionism.
EX of Loyalty:
When a samurai's master is being attacked, he will often dress in his
master's clothe and go in one direction, leading the enemy away from the real
master who is running for his life the other direction. The warrior knows he
will absolutly die, but will sacrifice everything for his
master.
EX of Loyalty...2:
Of a samurai ever becomes a ronin (a former samurai with no master anymore) and finds that his master was killed, this is what would happen. FIRST, all the ronin (technically everyone who has ever served the master since they are now masterless) would avenge the master. Then, they would commit seppuku, a very honorable and ritualistic...well...suicide. The thought was that they would go WITH the master and continue their servitude for him.
Bushido stresses honor just as much as loyalty.
EX of Honor:
If during a battle a samurai found himself of no use and the battle seemed to have been lost, he would find a concluded place and commit seppuku. This was very honorable and wasn't looked upon as cowardly upon the Japanese.
daimyo and shogun. These were their overlords and they had total control over
the samurai. When a person pledges their loyalty, they write a document with
their blood, burnt it, and drank the ashes, symbolizing that the contract
between master and samurai were forever lasting. This sense of loyalty and
seritude branch off of the teachings of confusionism.
EX of Loyalty:
When a samurai's master is being attacked, he will often dress in his
master's clothe and go in one direction, leading the enemy away from the real
master who is running for his life the other direction. The warrior knows he
will absolutly die, but will sacrifice everything for his
master.
EX of Loyalty...2:
Of a samurai ever becomes a ronin (a former samurai with no master anymore) and finds that his master was killed, this is what would happen. FIRST, all the ronin (technically everyone who has ever served the master since they are now masterless) would avenge the master. Then, they would commit seppuku, a very honorable and ritualistic...well...suicide. The thought was that they would go WITH the master and continue their servitude for him.
Bushido stresses honor just as much as loyalty.
EX of Honor:
If during a battle a samurai found himself of no use and the battle seemed to have been lost, he would find a concluded place and commit seppuku. This was very honorable and wasn't looked upon as cowardly upon the Japanese.
Benifits of being so Suicidal
The Samurai were all given land from their daimyos' and they were pretty much the ruler of that area. They could kill any peasant that was disrepectful to them, and in some places even without reason as "practiced murder". In theory, as well as reality, they had all the power they could every need.
The Real Role of the Samurai
As you have read on the Government Page (by that I mean as u WILL read on the Government Page), the daimyo and shogun have the real power in the Empire. Not the emperor, but the daimyo and shogun. Why? Because THEY are the ones who control the military. THEY control the people who can kill someone at will. THEY control the rank of people who keep order and peace within the empire. THEY control the samurai.
And therefore, the Samurai were just the key to power.
In the whole Edo Period (time of the Tokugawa Shogunate Empire), there was very little conflict, for the whole empire was at peace. No battles occured during this time (there many, sooo many...before though), and the samurai were used less for protection of the empire (as is the role of military in most empires) and were just sources of power and control.
And therefore, the Samurai were just the key to power.
In the whole Edo Period (time of the Tokugawa Shogunate Empire), there was very little conflict, for the whole empire was at peace. No battles occured during this time (there many, sooo many...before though), and the samurai were used less for protection of the empire (as is the role of military in most empires) and were just sources of power and control.