Samurai By Brandon Goetz & Spencer Johnston

Table of Contents ~About the Samurai ~Seppuku~Bushido ~Samurai’s Sword ~Samurai’s Armor ~History ~Famous Samurai

Samurai The Samurai were tough fighting men skilled with many Martial Arts. Samurai had extensive skills in the use of the bow and arrow and katana mastery. They were just as Powerful with their bare hands. They were great horsemen. These warriors were men who lived by Bushido, it was their way of life. the samurai's loyalty to the emperor and his overlord/daimyo were unsurpassed. They were trustworthy and honest. They lived a frugal live with no interest in being rich, but rather in honor and pride. They were men of true valor.

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Samurai had no fear of death. they would enter any battle no matter what the odds are. To die in battle would bring honor to him, his family, and his Lord. Samurai usually prefer to fight alone, one on one. In battle, a samurai would call out his family name. rank, and his accomplishments. then he would find an opponent with a close rank and fair battle. Once the samurai has defeated his opponent he severs off his head. After the battle, he takes the heads of his enemies back to show proof of his Victory. The only way out for a defeated samurai was death or the ritual suicide, know as seppuku.

Seppuku Seppuku or disembowelment, also known as hara-kiri, belly slicing is when a samurai pierces a knife into his abdomen and literally disembowels himself by cutting out his guts. After the samurai has done this another samurai, usually a kinsman, or a friend, slices off his head. This form of suicide was performed under various circumstances: to avoid capture in battle, which the samurai did not believe to be dishonorable and degrading, A samurai would rather kill himself than bring shame and disgrace to his family name and his lord. This was considered an act of true honor.

Bushido Bushido, the way of the samurai, grew out of the fusion of Buddhism and Shintoism. This way can be summarized in seven essential principles: 1. Gi: the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. When we must die, we must die. Rectitude. 2. Yu: bravery tinged with heroism. 3. Jin: universal love, benevolence toward mankind; compassion. 4. Rei: right action--a most essential quality, courtesy. 5. Makoto: utter sincerity; truthfulness. 6. Melyo: honor and glory. 7. Chugo: devotion, loyalty.

Bushido has influenced Buddhism, and Buddhism has influenced Bushido; the elements of Buddhism found in Bushido are five: ~Pacification of the emotions; ~Tranquil compliance with the inevitable; ~Self-control in the face of any event; ~A more intimate exploration of death than of life; ~Pure poverty.

Samurai Weapons The Japanese Samurai were the master swordsmen of all time. They made the katana infamous as a lightening fast weapon that could cut through anything. In only Seconds, they could draw the katana, effortlessly wave it about their body in a butterfly motion with such great speed that you could barely comprehend where the hands had been. In the early 2nd century, Japanese swordsmiths started inserting softer cores into blades which significantly heightened sword flexibility. These new baldes could withstand the impact of heavy blows on armor without breaking. As warfare changed in Japan, the mounted warrior's Tachi sword was redesigned for foot soldiers. and the katana was born. They used the Yumi as their long bow.

Samurai’s Armor The samurai's armor was mainly for speed but had a bit of strength behind it. It was light and easy to move around in. 1. The silk robe was put on first. 2. The lower body was then put on after the silk robe. 3. They would then put on their shoes and tie his leg armor onto it. 4. The arm plates were worn. 5. The body armor was then placed over top of the silk robe. 6. The armored Skirt was applied. 7. The shoulder pads were placed onto the shoulders. 8. Then finally the helmet was placed on and ready to go.

History The Samurai rose to prominence in the Heian Period of Japanese history, which was between the periods of AD 794 to AD The powerful Daimyo began to hire these Samurai warriors to protect their properties.As the Japanese feudal lords grew in power, they continued to fight within themselves for more land and more power. This increased the importance of these Samurai Warriors. In 1192, a new military government was established by Minamoto Yoritomo, who was the ‘Shogun’ (the richest and most powerful Daimyo in the land) and the highest military officer. He also became the ruler of Japan. In the time between these wars, the Samurai spent time working on farms. The Samurai Philosophy is very well developed and places a high regard for Learning. They studied several topics such as strategy, planning, war craft and art. Many Samurai warriors were also masters of calligraphy and poetry. Between 1573 and 1603, Toyotomi Hideyoshi united all of Japan under one banner and introduced the caste system. He forced the Samurai to choose between a farmer’s life and a warrior’s life. He also made it forbidden for anyone else apart from the Samurai to wear arms. In this caste system, the Samurai were at the top and were followed by farmers, artisans and merchants. Each caste also had its internal hierarchy. It was during the time period between 1603 and 1868 that all these changes were implemented, and became well ingrained into the culture of Japan. During this time, the Samurai were forced to live in castle towns and their income was provided by their Daimyos in the form of rice. For about 250 years from 1615, there was a relative amount of peace in Japan. Most Samurai warriors became bureaucrats, artists or teachers, while the importance of martial skills was reduced. In 1868, with the end of Japan's feudal era, the samurai class was abolished.

Famous Samurai Akamatsu Mitsusuke:Akamatsu Mitsusuke: Ashikaga period Shugo and the assassin of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori (D. 1441) Akamatsu Mitsusuke: Anayama Beisetsu:Anayama Beisetsu: One of Takeda Shingen's 'Twenty Four Generals' (1532? ) Anayama Beisetsu: Ashikaga Takauji:Ashikaga Takauji: Founder of the Ashikaga Shôgunate ( ) Ashikaga Takauji: Baba Nobufusa:Baba Nobufusa: Mino no Kami; one of 'Shingen's Twenty-four Generals' ( ) Baba Nobufusa: Hattori Hanzo:Hattori Hanzo: Tokugawa retainer and reputed 'ninja' leader ( ) Hattori Hanzo: Hôjô Soun (Ise Shinkuro):Hôjô Soun (Ise Shinkuro): First HÔJÔ Daimyô ( ) Hôjô Soun (Ise Shinkuro): Imagawa Yoshimoto:Imagawa Yoshimoto: Daimyô of Suruga and Tôtômi ( ) Imagawa Yoshimoto: Minamoto Yoshiie:Minamoto Yoshiie: Legendary warrior and hero of the 'later three-year war' ( ) Minamoto Yoshiie: Minamoto Yoshitsune:Minamoto Yoshitsune: Legendary Minamoto general ( ) Minamoto Yoshitsune: Miyamoto Musashi:Miyamoto Musashi: Noted swordsman, author of Gorin no shô (1584? ) Miyamoto Musashi: Môri Motonari:Môri Motonari: Daimyô of Aki ( ) Môri Motonari: Oda Nobunaga:Oda Nobunaga: Daimyo of Owari and the first of the "Three Unifiers" ( ) Oda Nobunaga: Shimazu Yoshihisa:Shimazu Yoshihisa: Daimyô of Satsuma and Ôsumi ( ) Shimazu Yoshihisa: Takeda Shingen:Takeda Shingen: Daimyo of Kai ( ) Takeda Shingen: Tokugawa Ieyasu:Tokugawa Ieyasu:1st Tokugawa shôgun ( ) Tokugawa Ieyasu: Toyotomi Hideyoshi:Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Unifier of Japan, Kampaku ( ) Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Uesugi Kenshin (Nagao Kagetora):Uesugi Kenshin (Nagao Kagetora): Daimyo of Echigo ( ) Uesugi Kenshin (Nagao Kagetora):