Samurai, the upper military class of pre-modern Japan. The Samurai worked under the daimyo and backed the authority of the shogun. The word “samurai” is roughly translated into “those who serve.” They eventually became the highest ranking social class of the Edo Period. The samurai employed a variety of weapons such as spears, bows and arrows, and even guns. However, their primary weapon and symbol was their sword. The samurai lead their lives by the honor code of bushido. The armor of a samurai was constructed primarily of iron plates, leather, or both. The plates were connected through rivets and lace. Due to the various weapons used there was a necessity for quick and flexible movement. This was accounted into the design of the plates and the weight especially was taken into account. Not only was this required in the use of combat, but other tasks were also largely taken into account, such as horse riding.
Early samurai of the Heian period (794-1185) worked as armed supporters under wealthy land owners. In feudal Japan the wealth
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Samurai privileged status was defined and one would need Yoritomo’s permission in order to call themselves a samurai. It was also at this time that Zen Buddhism was brought over to Japan from China, it held a strong appeal for many samurai. It had a strict manner and held the belief that salvation would come from within. This provided samurai with an ideal philosophical background for the samurai code and promoted a simple lifestyle. Also, during this time the sword began to develop a great significance in samurai culture. There was the belief that the honor of a man would reside within his sword. The sword has such an importance that the art during this period had sprung an influence on sword craftsmanship. Finely crafted blades were forged with inlays of precious metals and even shark shin
Did you know that samurai armor is made with the nail-polish? Its called lacquer and if enough is applied, it can be as strong as steel. Samurai were the warriors of Japan during the Medieval Times. Samurai should be considered the ultimate warrior for three reasons: 1: Samurai were loyal to their lords and they had no legal agreements. 2: Samurai follow a strict code and commit suicide if they disobey it.
In document C1 written by the PBS series states, “Samurai were expected to live according to Bushido, a strict ethical code influenced by Confucianism that stressed loyalty to one’s master, respect for one’s superior, ethical behaviors in all aspects of life and complete self-discipline”. This quote proves that samurais were far more loyal to there code of honor (Bushido) that the knights were. Another piece of evidence that supports the claim is in “Samurai Shodown” a documentary by Terry Schappert which states “the sword symbolized the loyalty and commitment to Bushido the code of the samurai”. This quote confirms that even the sword of the samurai had a meaning that symbolizes
Iron is a type of metal, thus making the armor build almost the same. This is significant because it means that samurai and knights were probably trying to protect themselves from the same types of attacks. Samurai and knight armor was also similar because it was made in a similar way, with plates. Plates signify that fighting and self-defense were important in both societies along with protection. This is because both types of armor allowed for flexibility, which allowed a warrior to fight better while still being protected.
Beauty, sleekness, and power are the landmark of a samurai sword. A group of people who were given the responsibility of protecting japan made the swords. These warriors are called samurais.
Samurai were the warriors of japan who were known for their skills as warriors . The samurai date all the way back to the heian period.The samurai were the protectors of the emperors in japan and the land around it.
To start, the samurai’s light armor made him very quick on the battlefield. His armor, “provided both mobility and protection,” (Source 3), as opposed to a knight’s armor which was very heavy and only provided protection. If the two warriors were fighting from horseback, all the samurai would have to do is find a way to get the knight to the ground. Once on the ground, knights were very vulnerable, especially to those as quick on foot as the samurai. The light weight of the samurai's armor was not the only advantage he had over the knight. The many perfectly placed attached guards, (in contrast to the knights few parts) made moving naturally smooth. There was only one disadvantage to
A difference in the samurai armor was that there was no armor on the samurai’s right arm, compared to the knights, who wore armor over their entire body. According to Document C, “Samurai did not wear armor on their right arm so they could easily draw their bow.” Another big difference was that Samurai armor was made of iron, while the knights’ was steel. Both the samurai and knights had moral codes as well. The samurai’s moral code was known as Bushido, and the knight’s code was called chivalry.
A knight’s armor was stronger than a samurai’s armor since the material had better durability than a samurai’s armor. The knight’s armor main materials were steel and chainmail. The process of producing the steel was cheaper and easier to make,while the samurai’s armor, consisting of bits of iron, leather and silk, could take months to make since silk was
Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today
The samurai were a powerful warrior class in Japan, and were very skilled with a sword. Samurai used swords and were trained very well to do many things such as fire a bow while on horseback. The samurai practiced Buddhism, which is a religion that taught people to respect the world to reach enlightenment. When the samurai disobeyed The Bushido Code, they committed Seppuku, which is ritual suicide for the samurai. Japanese culture was influenced by the samurai warrior class.
A Samurai’s armor were made of small armor iron scales that were tied together, lacquered, and then made into armor plates with silk or leather cords. Samurai did not wear armor on their right arm so they can draw their bow faster. The knight’s armor was made of chain mail then changed to metal compared to a Samurai’s armor but, since the knight’s armor was made of metal it was able to protect the knight from cannons and crossbows. But a disadvantage of the knight’s is that is was too heavy and if knocked down it was hard to get back up as opposed to the Samurai’s armor only got heavy when wet. “One disadvantage of samurai armor is that when it became wet, the silk cords absorbed water and became heavy.”
The age of the samurai
In Japan, besides going to war the samurai job was also to protect the lord. In the reading comparing Japan and Europe from McDougal Littel’s “In Depth Resources: An Age of exchange and Encounter” Unit 3 Chapter 13 p.56 it states “Each lord surrounded himself with a bodyguard of elite warriors called samurai.” This shows the loyalty to the load as the job of the samurai is to guard and protect the lord. In the reading it also states “He had to prove his absolute courage and loyalty in defense of his lord, who rewarded him with an allowance.” This statement talks about the group of elite warriors whose job is to protect the lord.
The Japanese warrior, known as the samurai, has played a significant role in Japan's history and culture throughout the centuries. Their ancestors can be traced back to as far as can be remembered. Some stories have become mysterious legends handed down over the centuries. In this report you will learn who the samurai were, their origins as we know them, how they lived and fought and their evolution to today. It will be clear why the samurai stand out as one of the most famous group of warriors of all times.
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