Samurai stories are well-known and there are an overwhelming number of movies, plays and books that feature Samurai and related fictions. In fact Samurai is the name of a strong military caste that existed in feudal Japan. Same as the stories about them, their real history is also enchanting for everyone irrespective of age.
History of the Samurai art cannot be described without referring to the history of the Samurai tribe. The ruling system that existed in Japan in 12th century was named as Shogunate and the ruler was named Shogun. At that time, Japan was suffering a lot from frequent struggles between the then existed powerful groups named Taira and Minamoto.
The second powerful position in the Shogunate was Daimyo, which was almost alike the rank of Dukes in Europe. Samurai were the soldiers of Daimyo. Usually each Samurai had a master and if he misses one because of the compelled martyrdom of his master, he was named Ronin.
The Samurai class had many privileges. Unlike the common people who were not licensed to carry any weapons with them the Samurai was allowed to carry two swords with them. They even had the right to cut off any commoner who happened to offend them.
The Samurai caste included three classes, housemen, mounted Samurai and foot soldiers. The first class was of administrators and the mounted Samurai had the permission to mount horses when fighting with enemies.
Over the years the role of the Samurai changed as they now became independent farmers who were restricted to the citadels. They were also authorized to a certain percentage of the rice tax depending 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 called the daimyo.
A strange custom 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. Gradually, the era of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.
The Samurai sagas have become world-renowned because of their heroism and the influences they made in the Japanese history in addition to the fame they accomplished through various types of media. The fact that this type of a caste existed in the earth and the code of life they adopted still remain unbelievable for the modern world.
The Samurai life had a great influence on the Japanese art of those times because of the power and position they possessed in the society. Their life, history and culture had been depicted in the Japanese art works with all the fascination. These arts catch the attention of everyone including those who are not at all acquainted with the Japanese way of life.
History of the Samurai art cannot be described without referring to the history of the Samurai tribe. The ruling system that existed in Japan in 12th century was named as Shogunate and the ruler was named Shogun. At that time, Japan was suffering a lot from frequent struggles between the then existed powerful groups named Taira and Minamoto.
The second powerful position in the Shogunate was Daimyo, which was almost alike the rank of Dukes in Europe. Samurai were the soldiers of Daimyo. Usually each Samurai had a master and if he misses one because of the compelled martyrdom of his master, he was named Ronin.
The Samurai class had many privileges. Unlike the common people who were not licensed to carry any weapons with them the Samurai was allowed to carry two swords with them. They even had the right to cut off any commoner who happened to offend them.
The Samurai caste included three classes, housemen, mounted Samurai and foot soldiers. The first class was of administrators and the mounted Samurai had the permission to mount horses when fighting with enemies.
Over the years the role of the Samurai changed as they now became independent farmers who were restricted to the citadels. They were also authorized to a certain percentage of the rice tax depending 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 called the daimyo.
A strange custom 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. Gradually, the era of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.
The Samurai sagas have become world-renowned because of their heroism and the influences they made in the Japanese history in addition to the fame they accomplished through various types of media. The fact that this type of a caste existed in the earth and the code of life they adopted still remain unbelievable for the modern world.
The Samurai life had a great influence on the Japanese art of those times because of the power and position they possessed in the society. Their life, history and culture had been depicted in the Japanese art works with all the fascination. These arts catch the attention of everyone including those who are not at all acquainted with the Japanese way of life.
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