About Samurai
The samurai were an ancient warrior class in Japan. They were segmented into clans and worked for feudal lords and the imperialist exploits of the Emperor. The samurai were highly motivated nobles who had a strict code of "bushido" that lasted for over a thousand years and still have a resonating effect in popular culture.
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Function
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The samurai were the warrior class in feudal Japan. They would align themselves into clans that would work for lords in battle and as mercenaries throughout the country. For a thousand years, the samurai were the main enforcement of power in Japan. They retained control of lands and subjects of the feudal lords. They would also be called upon to battle foreign invaders if the need arose. Travel outside the country occurred on an infrequent basis, but the legend of the samurai was widely known in China. Samurai were known widely for their use of katanas and yumi or longbow, as well a variety of smaller swords and spears known as yari. The armor was usually highly decorated and elaborate, sometimes including a face mask with the dual effect of protecting one's face and striking terror at the enemy.
Types
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The word "samurai" means "those who serve in close attendance to nobility." However, there were many different classes of samurai throughout Japanese history. "Bushi" were ancient warriors from traditional noble families. They were predominant in the north and aligned themselves into clans. Samurai with no clan were known as "ronin." They usually ended up alone when their lord died as they were banished or chose a solitary life. "Hanshi" were samurai in the service of a lord. They were paid 180 liters of rice a year, known as a koku. Samurai who had accomplished a great deal were bestowed with the title "Yumitori." This was a great honor, meaning literally "bowman." Other distinctions included "uruwashii," which meant a learned samurai and "musha," a samurai who also studied martial arts.
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Misconceptions
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Despite public perception, samurai were not always as noble as they are portrayed in literature and film. Their allegiances often shifted between feudal lords as different events transpired. They could be disloyal, treacherous and cowardly in life and in battle. There is, however, truth in the legend of seppuku. With this practice, a dishonored samurai could pass into death by disemboweling himself and regain his honor.
History
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With the Taika Reform of 646 A.D., Emperor Tenji realized that he would need a powerful force of warriors to control the population and put down rebellion. Instituting the title of "shogun," he used regional clans to fight battles. Ultimately, the clans became a noble class unto themselves and began aligning themselves feudal lords, but still retaining devotion to the Emperor. This created a system of rival clans and houses. By the twelfth century, the samurai had become highly educated and an integral part of Japanese society and political power. The culmination of this power was realized in the breakdown of the unity of samurai in the Heiji Rebellion and the subsequent Gempei War. The clans fought amongst each other for the next couple of centuries, uniting only once for the Mongol Invasion, who's fleet was destroyed by a typhoon. Finally in 1592, Kato Kiyomasa consolidated most of the clans for an invasion of Korea. This act helped rectify the disunion and the samurai stayed relatively united, making their way in the more bureaucratic elements of Japanese society. With the influx of Europeans, the samurai were essentially destroyed in the Boshin War during the restoration of the Meiji Emperor.
Significance
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After the samurai were all but extinct, the Japanese government incorporated their theories into their military during their imperialist era of the early 1900s. Although including elements of torture, which the samurai had abandoned, the soldiers and airmen of the Sino-Japanese Wars and World War II practiced the Zen philosophies and the seppuku practices as it was dishonorable to be taken prisoner. Modern culture has adopted the imagery of the samurai in film and literature. From action figures to comic books, the samurai have penetrated all facets of both western and eastern cultures. Even characters such as Darth Vader from the Star Wars films find their roots in samurai dress.
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