1. The Rise of the Warrior Class in Japan EQ: What was the role of the samurai in the military society of medieval Japan?

4. Japanese Samurai Period
Started in 1185 by Minamoto Yoritomo
Ends in 1868 with emperor regaining power

6. Japanese/European Feudal Hierarchy
Shogun
King
Daimyo Daimyo
Lord Lord
Samurai Samurai Samurai
Knight Knight Knight

7. Shifting Loyalties Gradually power shifted from shogun to daimyos
In the late 1400s daimyos fought a series of wars for control
In 1603 Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun and sets up capital in Edo (Tokyo)

9. Samurai Training
Military: horsemanship, archery, sword play, martial arts
Self-control: enduring pain and suffering; consider themselves already dead
Preparedness: always stay alert, “sixth sense”
                                                                                                                                  

10. Samurai Training (continued)
Writing and literature: calligraphy, poetry (Matsuo Basho, haikus)
Tea Ceremony: harmony, reverence, and calm; political alliances

11. Samurai Battle
Before battles, samurai shouted out their names, ancestors, deeds, and reason for fighting
After battles, survivors of losing side were killed and opponents heads were severed, cleaned and mounted on boards.

12. Samurai Training in Spiritual Strength
Amida or Pure Land Buddhism (people could reach paradise through the mercy of Amida Buddha)
Zen Buddhism stressed effort, discipline, self-reliance and meditation

13. Bushido: The Way of the Warrior Honest, fair, fearless, loyal, honor Failure led to ritual suicide (seppuku)
                                                                                 

14. Women in Samurai Society
12th century women had considerable status, some even were samurai: Tomoe Gozen is an example
17th century women were under control of men from birth to death; marriages were arranged, some even were supposed to commit suicide if husband died.

15. The Influence of Samurai Values Today
WWII Japanese soldiers followed Bushido
Kamikaze
Judo
Haikus, calligraphy, zen gardens, tea ceremony
Ideals of loyalty to family, respect for rank