The Age of the Warrior in Japan has a distinct impact on the culture of Japanese Samurai, it defined who they were and their beliefs. (Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia) This initiation of the warrior class in Japan began in 1185 with the period known as the Kamakura Period, which was the longest of the three periods in Medieval Ages of Japan. The time period was mark by the defeat of one of the most distinct families in Japan the Taira family and the leadership of the Kamakura Period was appointed to Yoritomo.
Yoritomo was the founder and first shogun of the Kamakura Period and he appointed other commanders called shugos, also known as military officials to different providences across Japan to insure that land in these provinces …show more content…
The main weapon of chose was the katana, a blade that is about 24 inches long and known as one most lethal swords ever used in battle. The code of the Samurai’s indicates that the katana represented the soul of the Samurai using it. Other common weapons that the samurai’s used were bows called yumis and they were made of sturdy wood mostly bamboo. Samurais were taught to perfect the art of horse backing and shooting also called yabusame. This was a tradition that was passed down and was considered an honor if you were a master of this art. Entering into battle with full armor sometimes wearing helmets depicting demons to instill fear in their enemies. This armor was made of leather and they wove it so the scales of leather were entangled in each other creating a barrier to stop sword slashes. The samurai were honorable men and took that to their grave with them, not flinching at the sight of death. This is because samurais were taught the notion that death is an illusion and the life you led up until your death will determine your afterlife status, thus many samurai lived virtuous lives. They believed dying of old age was not an honorable death, but a cowardice one, it was considered more honorable to die on the battlefield or serving your lord than any other way. (Flanagan pg 2) The rise of daimyo’s in Japan had consequences for family members that were separated by different daimyo’s or clans. A samurai had to pledge a life of allegiance to a daimyo in order to secure wealth, food, and protection for his family. This had its ramifications because brothers and fathers would commit to different lords or switch lords in order to gain a higher social status killing off their brethren for personal or family
Yoritomo was the founder and first shogun of the Kamakura Period and he appointed other commanders called shugos, also known as military officials to different providences across Japan to insure that land in these provinces …show more content…
The main weapon of chose was the katana, a blade that is about 24 inches long and known as one most lethal swords ever used in battle. The code of the Samurai’s indicates that the katana represented the soul of the Samurai using it. Other common weapons that the samurai’s used were bows called yumis and they were made of sturdy wood mostly bamboo. Samurais were taught to perfect the art of horse backing and shooting also called yabusame. This was a tradition that was passed down and was considered an honor if you were a master of this art. Entering into battle with full armor sometimes wearing helmets depicting demons to instill fear in their enemies. This armor was made of leather and they wove it so the scales of leather were entangled in each other creating a barrier to stop sword slashes. The samurai were honorable men and took that to their grave with them, not flinching at the sight of death. This is because samurais were taught the notion that death is an illusion and the life you led up until your death will determine your afterlife status, thus many samurai lived virtuous lives. They believed dying of old age was not an honorable death, but a cowardice one, it was considered more honorable to die on the battlefield or serving your lord than any other way. (Flanagan pg 2) The rise of daimyo’s in Japan had consequences for family members that were separated by different daimyo’s or clans. A samurai had to pledge a life of allegiance to a daimyo in order to secure wealth, food, and protection for his family. This had its ramifications because brothers and fathers would commit to different lords or switch lords in order to gain a higher social status killing off their brethren for personal or family