Samurai Culture

Chances are, you have heard of the samurai. What comes to mind when you think of one? Do you picture a warrior? It turns out that the Japanese samurai are far more than skilled warriors. They were well-educated and abided by a strict moral code. Keep reading to learn about the samurai's history, culture, and training.

Fig. 1: A Samurai.

Samurai History

In the middle of the seventh century CE, Japan experienced government reforms that led to land redistribution and new, higher taxes. This was supposed to help create a government that resembled the Chinese government at the time, but it led to a feudal government system.

How did this happen? Land reforms pushed small farmers to sell their land to more prominent landowners. Then the small farmers would continue to work the land, as they often rented it back from the more prominent landowner (this is sometimes called tenant farming). The large landowners kept amassing more money and more land.

Over time, these large farmers found themselves needing someone to help them protect their land and money. To accomplish this, they began to hire samurai to help them defend themselves and their land.

What were samurai? Samurai were a group of highly skilled Japanese warriors. However, in the beginning, they weren't the extraordinary samurai you might have seen on television.

At first, samurai were relatives or dependents of the landowners. Samurai became a type of nobility, and they worked to protect the emperor and other nobles.

Over time, samurai became more powerful. Eventually, a military government would control Japan. In Japan, this military dictatorship was called a shogunate. Its leader was the shogun.

As members of the shogunate, the samurai supported the local lords, known as daimyos. With the help of the samurai, the shogun became more powerful than the emperor, otherwise known as the mikado.

Samurai Importance

Why were samurai important in feudal Japan? These warriors were part of an elite class and operated under a strict moral code.

Samurai transformed from recruited warriors to essential members of the feudal government. They worked to support the daimyo, thereby strengthening the shogun against the emperor.

Fig. 2: Samurai Photograph.

Japanese Samurai Traditions

The 12th century saw many changes for Japan, one of which was the decline of Buddhism. However, by the 13th century, Zen Buddhism was part of the samurai's daily life. Zen Buddhism focuses on meditation, which samurai used to help with martial arts training. Meditation was also a valuable tool for helping samurai mentally prepare and cope with the idea that they might die in battle.

While mediation and other parts of Zen Buddhism were an essential part of the samurai tradition, one of the most significant traditions was Bushido, or the samurai's code of honor.

The moral code of the samurai, Bushido, was influenced by a few outside factors. One influence was the military writings of the early 8th century. Most of these writings focused on the perfect warrior, who was brave, loyal, educated, and an absolute gentleman.

Zen Buddhism influenced Bushido, as did Confucianism. This code of honor primarily grew and developed between the 11th and 14th centuries. The name Bushido was not used to describe the code of honor until the 16th century.

Eight principles make up the code of Bushido.

1. Justice
2. Courage
3. Mercy
4. Politeness
5. Honesty
6. Honor
7. Loyalty
8. Character and Self-Control

Samurai Training

Men began training to be samurai when they were children. Boys participated in academic and physical education. They also studied spiritual disciplines like Kendo and Zen Buddhism.

Girls trained as well. They were instructed in martial arts as they needed to be prepared to defend their homes as grown women.

Samurai Influence on Japanese Culture

The samurai's moral code of Bushido influenced people in other parts of feudal society.

Bushido demanded respect and loyalty to one's family and country, with the expectation that one would not bring shame or dishonor to the family. Bushido became the standard code of conduct for most of society.

Samurai Culture in Modern Japan

As you might expect, Bushido's samurai code of honor had far-reaching societal effects. What does this look like in modern Japan?

Before World War II, the Japanese government promoted the idea of Bushido, hoping to encourage loyalty, patriotism, honor, and self-sacrifice. Bushido was a tool to obtain unwavering support for Japan and the emperor.

Modern Bushido was unpopular until the 1970s when Japan experienced a significant economic boom. Bushido changed to reflect the incredible work ethic, diligence, and loyalty one would need to succeed in the corporate world.

The meaning of Bushido pivoted again in the 1990s, as Japan's economy slowed. Bushido was supposed to look like bravery in the face of economic challenges.

An essential part of Japanese corporate life is the principles of trust and respect; many assign these aspects of Bushido to Japan's economic success.

Bushido is still part of Japan's martial arts culture, including the principles of honor and self-control. These principles are also present in sports, as Japanese athletes are still encouraged to display a strong work ethic.

Fig. 3 Samurai Warrior

Samurai Culture Summary

Reforms in the 7th century, the Japanese government created a feudal government that was similar to the European feudal government.

Many Japanese farmers, both small tenant farmers and large landowners, felt the need to protect themselves and their land. This need led to the formation of the samurai warrior class.

Samurai were a group of highly skilled Japanese warriors. At first, samurai were relatives or dependents of the landowners. Over time, they trained and developed a code of honor, becoming the type of samurai you already know and love. Eventually, a military government would control Japan. This government would have been unable to exist without samurai warriors.

Why were samurai important in feudal Japan? These warriors were part of an elite class and operated under a strict moral code. This moral code is known as Bushido and promotes justice, politeness, honesty, loyalty, and self-control.

Bushido demands those who abide by the code show respect and loyalty to one's families.

Zen Buddhism influenced Bushido, as did Confucianism. This code of honor primarily grew and developed between the 11th and 14th centuries. The name Bushido was not used to describe the code of honor until the 16th century.

The samurai's moral code of Bushido influenced people in other parts of feudal society. Bushido became the standard code of conduct for most of society. It is still prevalent in modern society. You can see the influence of Bushido on the behavior of business people, martial arts, and athletes.

Men began training to be samurai when they were children. Young boys participated in warrior training. Girls learned martial arts as well, so they would be able to defend themselves and their families. Some girls grew up to become samurai as well.