Student Samurai Book Informational Power Point Remember: In addition to this power point, Sections 8.2-8.3 (starting on page 257) of your textbook can help you! This is a resource to use as a guide – be sure to put your information into YOUR OWN WORDS The interesting fact slides throughout the power point can help you with various pages throughout your book, so be sure to read them!

Lord-Vassal System Daimyo: Japanese lord with large landholdings Daimyos hired Samurai to protect their land - making their own private army In return, Samurai were given land if they were loyal to their lord (Daimyo) Samurai became a vassal because they received land from a lord in return for their loyalty and protection

Lord-Vassal System (Part 2) As a result a strict class system called a lord-vassal system arose Samurai formed warrior class in Japan’s military society Later, Samurai took jobs within bureaucracy

Weapons: Bows and arrows Spears Swords Also fought using hand-to-hand combat

Which weapon was the Samurai’s most prized and why? His sword Samurai swords were finest swords in the world Wearing a sword was a privilege and right of the samurai. Swords were passed down through generations Worn as sign of a samurai’s rank

What items did the Samurai wear to help protect himself? *Metal sleeves for his arms *Shoulder guards *Mental panels for over his hips *Thigh guards *Iron Mask *Helmet Wore kimono under his armor with baggy trousers Shin-guards made of leather Armor made of rows of small metal plates (making it strong and flexible

Interesting Fact: Samurais would burn incense in their helmets before putting them on so that their head would smell sweet if it were cut off in battle.

Interesting Fact: Before Samurais would fight each other in battle they would stand a few hundred yards apart facing each other and shout their name, ancestors, heroic deeds, and their reason for fighting.

Mental Training Went for days without eating Marched barefoot in the snow Held stiff postures for hours without complaining

How did they overcome the fear of death? Samurai had to learn self-control to overcome emotions that might interfere with fighting, especially the fear of death. To help they were told to think of themselves as already dead. Meditation on inevitable death was performed daily

Interesting Fact: Samurais were taught to never fully relax because an attack could come when it was least expected, so they were encouraged to develop a “sixth sense” about danger.

What were Samurai expected to be besides fierce warriors? To show they were well-rounded, upper class, educated members of society samurai were expected to master a number of other skills besides fighting Students of culture/well educated Were to practice calligraphy Write poetry Study the proper way to perform a Tea Ceremony

Interesting Fact: The tea ceremony was thought to encourage a spirit of harmony, reverence, and calm. It also served as an important way to form political alliances among the samurai.

Which religion were most Samurais? Most Samurai were Buddhist Two forms were popular in Japan: Amida and Zen Zen Buddhism was more popular among Samurais because of its emphasis on effort and discipline.

Interesting Fact: To help followers reach enlightenment Zen masters would pose puzzling questions for students to think about while meditating, such as: “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”

Bushido Code Bushido is the samurai code Bushido means: “The Way of the Warrior” Governed a Samurai’s life, instructing them to be honest, fair, and fearless in the face of death Expected to value loyalty and personal honor even above their own lives.

Bushido Code 2 Samurai lived by bushido code which emphasized honor, loyalty, and bravery. HONOR was most highly valued by samurai Bushido code eventually became Japan’s national code of conduct because it so appealed to the Japanese people

What was the price for failing to live up to the code of Bushido? Seppuku which means ritual suicide. A samurai might perform seppuku to: Preserve personal honor and avoid capture Punishment for a crime Atone for a shameful deed Atone for insulting a person of higher rank When their lord died As a form of protest against a wrong or injustice To shame their lord into behaving better

Interesting Fact: Seppuku became an elaborate ceremony Interesting Fact: Seppuku became an elaborate ceremony. Guests were invited. Samurai prepared by taking a bath, unbinding their long hair, and putting on the white clothes used for dressing a corpse. He was served his favorite foods, and when he finished eating a sword was placed on the tray. He took the sword and plunged it into and across his stomach, trying to make a complete circle. A swordsman standing behind him quickly cut off his head to end his agony.

Women in Samurai Society Declined over time In 12th century women warriors enjoyed honor and respect By 17th century samurai women were treated as inferior to their husbands

Women in Samurai Society 2 Marriages were arranged Pairs were made to increase a family’s position or wealth Wives were expected to bear sons and look after husbands Sometimes they were even expected to kill themselves when their husbands died

Interesting Fact: Samurai women were expected to get up early, go to bed late, spend their day weaving, sewing, spinning, and taking care of their husband and children. They had to stick to simple food and clothes and stay away from plays, singing, and other entertainment. Whereas peasant women had some respect and independence, in samurai families the women were completely under the men’s control.

Ninjas VS Samurai NINJAS SAMURAI -Belonged to lower classes of Japanese society and did not follow a code of ethics when fighting -Considered hired mercenaries that would be willing to serve anyone who was willing to pay them their asking price in return for their services -Preferred sneak attacks, ambush, sabotage and smaller weapons such as Ninja Stars -Wore black outfits of cloth covering all but their eyes. To help from being seen at night -Considered an elite class of Noblemen that followed the bushido code when they engaged in combat -Warriors that serve the ruling emperor without requiring a fee for their services -Preferred fighting face-to-face. Used hand-to-hand combat weapons, including Samurai Swords -Wore metal clad suits of armor

Interesting Fact: Some ninjas were disgraced samurai who went into hiding instead of committing seppuku Some samurai doubled as ninjas secretly for personal gain of wealth