Samurai and the Japanese History
The Samurai is the name of a warrior class of people that emerged many centuries ago in Japan. We find that the Samurai have been featured via a num...
The Samurai is the name of a warrior class of people that emerged many centuries ago in Japan. We find that the Samurai have been featured via a number of silver screen flicks, comic books and theatre plays in recent years. The history of the Samurai seems to be equally as fascinating for children as well as adults.
To understand the development of Samurai art we must first understand how this warrior class came into being. It was in the 12th century when Japan was suppressed in clashes between two powerful local clans known as the Taira and the Minamato. It was during this time that the Japanese system of rule known as Shogunate with the Shogun on top was formed.
The second powerful position in the Shogunate was Daimyo, which was much the same as the rank of Dukes in Europe. Samurai were the warriors of Daimyo. Usually each Samurai had a master and if he misses one because of the compelled suicide of his master, he was named Ronin.
The Samurai caste had many special advantages which was not allowed for the common people. They were licensed to carry two swords while the common people were restricted from carrying any. They were even allowed to decapitate any ordinary citizen who came to hurt them.
The Samurai tribe itself was categorized into three classes – the administrators who were known as housemen, soldiers who were allowed to fight on horse back named mounted Samurai and the foot soldiers.
Over the years the role of the Samurai changed as they now became independent farmers who were restricted to the citadels. They were also entitled to a certain percentage of the rice tax based on their ranks. The code of ethics followed by the Samurai class was known as Bushido which meant the way of the warrior. It was based around obedience towards their leader which was the daimyo.
A strange practice of committing suicide named Suppuku existed among them. They considered it as a honourable way of death and was performed at the battle field or outside the battle as a formal function. Eventually, the age of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.
The colourful history of the Samurai plus the reverence they received through the film media and other such publications made them to be known on a global level. For many non-Japanese people the concept of a Samurai was very intriguing. The sheer discipline and the code of ethics followed by the Samurai was something beyond belief for the rest of the world.
The Samurai tribe not only influenced the Japanese history but also made impacts on the art and culture of the country. Their life and culture stimulated the artists to illustrate them through various art forms and just like the Samurai fables, these artistic expressions also were intriguing to the masses around the world.
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