Samurai The Warriors of Japan

The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class - the Japanese warriors. The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class - the Japanese warriors. Samurai means “one who serves” Samurai means “one who serves”

Weapons Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and, eventually, guns Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and, eventually, guns their most famous weapon and their symbol was the long sword called the katana. their most famous weapon and their symbol was the long sword called the katana. The katana came to symbolize the “soul of the samurai.” What does this say that a samurai is? The katana came to symbolize the “soul of the samurai.” What does this say that a samurai is?

Escapes To mentally deal with the thoughts of killing or being killed most samurai found hobbies to occupy their thoughts. To mentally deal with the thoughts of killing or being killed most samurai found hobbies to occupy their thoughts. Poetry – many great haiku and tanka poems were written by samurai. Poetry – many great haiku and tanka poems were written by samurai. Landscape painting – many samurai had great artistic skill. One particular samurai’s work became highly sought after. Landscape painting – many samurai had great artistic skill. One particular samurai’s work became highly sought after.

Samurai Poetry Ôuchi Yoshitaka Both the victor and the vanquished are but drops of dew, but bolts of lightning - thus should we view the world. Ôuchi Yoshitaka Both the victor and the vanquished are but drops of dew, but bolts of lightning - thus should we view the world.

Samurai Poetry Shiaku Nyûdo5 d.1333 Holding forth this sword I cut vacuity in twain; In the midst of the great fire, a stream of refreshing breeze! Shiaku Nyûdo5 d.1333 Holding forth this sword I cut vacuity in twain; In the midst of the great fire, a stream of refreshing breeze!

The Code Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethical code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethical code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline, courage, and respectful behavior. Bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline, courage, and respectful behavior.

Religion The preferred religion of the samurai was Zen Buddhism. The preferred religion of the samurai was Zen Buddhism. Zen appealed to samurai because it stressed exacting spiritual and physical discipline as a path to enlightenment and that true learning comes only from breaking away from logic. Zen appealed to samurai because it stressed exacting spiritual and physical discipline as a path to enlightenment and that true learning comes only from breaking away from logic. A common meditation practice of samurai was zazen, where a monk would strike the meditating samurai on the shoulder with a rod to test his ability to remain focused. A common meditation practice of samurai was zazen, where a monk would strike the meditating samurai on the shoulder with a rod to test his ability to remain focused.

Honor Above All Else After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen (ultimately dying when the Kaishaku-nin cuts off the head) rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death. After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen (ultimately dying when the Kaishaku-nin cuts off the head) rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death.

True or False Another term for “samurai” is “bushi”. Another term for “samurai” is “bushi”. The Katana is the samurai’s favorite weapon. The Katana is the samurai’s favorite weapon. The Katana is referred to as “the soul of the samurai”. The Katana is referred to as “the soul of the samurai”. Samurai lived their lives by the code of bushido. Samurai lived their lives by the code of bushido. The preferred religion of the samurai was Zen Buddhism. The preferred religion of the samurai was Zen Buddhism. After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku). After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku).