Japan- Samurai.Japan- Samurai.

4/21/2010.4/21/2010. Cultures.Cultures. Matthew Van ZantMatthew Van Zant Bobby GustinBobby Gustin

Culture of the Samurai.Culture of the Samurai. Members of the military Members of the military

Japanese.Japanese. Japanese warriors.Japanese warriors.

Used weapons such bows Used weapons such bows and arrows, spears, kamas; and arrows, spears, kamas; most famous weapon is most famous weapon is the sword. the sword.

Lead lives according to Lead lives according to ethic code of bushido (way ethic code of bushido (way of the warrior). Strongly of the warrior). Strongly Confucian in nature, Confucian in nature, Bushido emphazised Bushido emphazised concepts such as loyalty to concepts such as loyalty to one’s master, self one’s master, self discipline, respectful, discipline, respectful, ethical behavior. ethical behavior.

Culture of the Samurai cnt’d.Culture of the Samurai cnt’d.

After being After being defeated in battle, defeated in battle, some samurai some samurai commit seppuku. commit seppuku. Seppuku is ritual Seppuku is ritual

suicide.suicide. This ritual suicide is This ritual suicide is

cutting their cutting their abdomen open, abdomen open, rather than being rather than being captured or dying captured or dying dishonorably.dishonorably.

History of the Samurai: brief History of the Samurai: brief summaries through the ages.summaries through the ages.

Heian Period (794-1185)Heian Period (794-1185) Samurai became important for feuds Samurai became important for feuds

between clans.between clans. Kamakura Period (1192-1303)Kamakura Period (1192-1303)

1195, Minamoto defeated Taira, and 1195, Minamoto defeated Taira, and established new military government in established new military government in Kamakura, 1192. Kamakura, 1192.

As shogun, (highest military officer) As shogun, (highest military officer) Minamoto Yoritome became ruler of Minamoto Yoritome became ruler of Japan.Japan.

History of the Samurai cnt’d.History of the Samurai cnt’d.

Mariachi Period (1333-1573)Mariachi Period (1333-1573) During the Chaotic Era (time period) of During the Chaotic Era (time period) of

warring states, (1467-1573), Japan warring states, (1467-1573), Japan consisted of dozens of independent consisted of dozens of independent states which fought each other states which fought each other constantly. Demand for samurai was constantly. Demand for samurai was very high. Between wars, many samurai very high. Between wars, many samurai worked on farms. Many famous samurai worked on farms. Many famous samurai movies take place during this era. movies take place during this era.

History of the Samurai cnt’d.History of the Samurai cnt’d.

Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-1603)1603) Toyotomi Hideyoshi reunited Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi reunited Japan.

Introduced rigid social caste system Introduced rigid social caste system which was completed by Tokugawa which was completed by Tokugawa Ieyasu and his successors. Hideyoshi Ieyasu and his successors. Hideyoshi forced all samurai to decide between forced all samurai to decide between farm life and a warrior life in the castle farm life and a warrior life in the castle towns. He forced only samurai to bear towns. He forced only samurai to bear swords; no one else could bear swords.swords; no one else could bear swords.

History of the Samurai cnt’d.History of the Samurai cnt’d.

Edo Period (1603-Edo Period (1603-1868)1868) Samurai stood at top Samurai stood at top

of the social castes of the social castes followed by farmers, followed by farmers, artisans, and artisans, and merchants.merchants.

During this time During this time period, all samurai period, all samurai lived in castle towns.lived in castle towns.

Their Their payment/income was payment/income was rice.rice.

History of the Samurai cnt’d.History of the Samurai cnt’d.

Edo Period (1603-1868) cnt’d.Edo Period (1603-1868) cnt’d. Masterless samurai were called ronin. Ronins Masterless samurai were called ronin. Ronins

caused minor problems.caused minor problems. Fall of Osaka Castle meant that Tokugawa’s Fall of Osaka Castle meant that Tokugawa’s

last potential rival in governing Japan was last potential rival in governing Japan was eliminated in 1615. eliminated in 1615.

Japan had relative peace for 250 years.Japan had relative peace for 250 years. Martial arts weren’t as important as before.Martial arts weren’t as important as before. 1868, the feudal system got eliminated; no 1868, the feudal system got eliminated; no

more feudal system.more feudal system. Hence, the samurai class was abolished.Hence, the samurai class was abolished.