Samurai- A class of highly skilled warriors of Japan
Samurai warriors were armed servants for powerful landowners during Heian period (794-1185).
Origin:
Samurai adhered to a strict code Bushido, (the "way of the warrior"). It emphasized loyalty, honor, courage, and discipline both on and off the battlefield.
Bushido Code:
Samurai served powerful lords (daimyos). They were the military nobility and officer caste in feudal Japan.
Role in Feudal Japan:
They were skilled in various weapons, including the katana (sword) a symbol of their identity and status.
Mastery of Weapons:
Samurai armor, known as "yoroi," made of iron or leather plates laced together with silk or leather cords, to provide protection and mobility.
Samurai Armor:
Samurai were expected to be cultured and educated. They studied literature, poetry, calligraphy, and philosophy, and arts.
Education and Culture:
Loyalty was paramount for samurai. They were expected to serve with absolute devotion, performing tasks at the command of their lord.
Feudal Loyalty:
A ritual that samurai would perform to avoid dishonor. It was considered a way to preserve one’s honor in the face of failure or disgrace.
Seppuku- Suicide Ritual
In the defense of their homes and families women samurai known as "Onna-Bugeisha" were trained in the martial arts and participated in combat.
Women Samurai:
The Meiji Restoration (1868) led to the abolition of the samurai class and the creation of a modern conscripted army.
Decline and Abolition:
Samurai ideals often depicted in literature, film, and art as embodiments of honor, discipline, and martial prowess.
Cultural Legacy:
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