When you think of the symbol of Japan, many people probably think of the Samurai. Due to the influence of movies and other media, more and more people are coming to Japan to learn more about samurai. In this article, I will introduce the history of the samurai and events where you can actually experience the samurai. This article will help you learn more about the world of the Samurai.
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What is a samurai?

The word “samurai” is often called “bushi” in Japan, and refers to Japanese warriors who carried swords, were skilled in military arts, and served “daimyos”. The word “samurai” comes from the word “saburau”.The word originally means to serve others. In other words, a samurai was a government official. Military arts and military science were essential for samurai, and based on the principles of bushido, they absolutely obey their masters and were willing to die for them. During the Sengoku period(Warring States period), the term “samurai” came to be used regardless of whether or not they served others. The term “samurai” was also used to refer to mercenaries, who were hired soldiers, and wild samurai, who did not have a specific master.

samurai history

The history of the Samurai is deeply connected to the history of Japan. The origins of the samurai can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan. The term “samurai” was first coined to describe those who served and protected the nobility of the time. The people who were already called samurai at this time were of relatively high rank among samurai. In the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the definition of samurai changed, and those who followed the Ashikaga family, the shoguns of the Muromachi shogunate, began to be called samurai. With the fall of the Ashikaga family, the Muromachi shogunate fell, and the country moved into the Warring States period, when warring factions fought for territory all over the country. In this era, all those who fought in battles came to be called “samurai. During the Warring States period, people of any status could become “samurai” through their work on the battlefield, as there was a demand for strong people with high military strength. It was an era of meritocracy. For example, the famous samurai during the Warring States period were “Saito Dosan,” who was originally an oil seller who became a daimyo, and “Toyotomi Hideyoshi,” who was the son of a farmer who became a samurai and unified the country. In the Edo period (1603-1868), under the Tokugawa shogunate, the term “samurai” was used to refer to the samurai class of Hatamoto and above. However, after the establishment of the hierarchical system(samurai, farmer, craftsman, and merchant), the word “samurai” came to refer to the entire samurai class. Eventually, the Edo shogunate collapsed with the Meiji Restoration, and the word “samurai” disappeared from history after Takamori Saigo was defeated in the Seinan War. Although there are still many descendants of samurai today, their status as “samurai” in Japan has been abolished.

Bushido cherished by samurai

Samurai of Japan had their own unique philosophy and ideology called Bushido. The manners and principles of Bushido were interpreted differently by each samurai family, but in general, it meant “risking your life for your actions and responsibilities,” “risking your life to serve your lord,” and “being prepared to give up your life in case of failure”. From this idea of risking your life, the culture of “seppuku” was born in the Japanese samurai. In the case of failure, samurai would commit seppuku and throw away their lives to make up for their mistakes. In the West, there was a concept of chivalry similar to bushido, but it did not involve taking responsibility by taking your own life. Bushido, the practice of taking responsibility for your actions by committing seppuku, was quite unique in the world. Today, in Japan, we would never actually risk our own lives to do something, but in the days of the samurai, the concept that it was wonderful to risk your life and devote yourself to something was widely accepted.

Introducing the samurai costume “armor”

“Armor” is probably the first thing you think of when you hear the word samurai. Armor is a set of armor to protect the body and a helmet to protect the head, and is not an everyday clothing worn by samurai, but rather worn in battle. It is made up of roughly 17 parts. Armor was not only used to protect yourself, but also to show yourself to others, filled with the warlord’s enthusiasm and thoughts.

The first part is the decoration of the helmet, called “tachimono”.

It is interesting to pay attention to this part, because it is made of various materials, and it really shows the enthusiasm, fashion sense and personality of each warlord.

The central part of the helmet is called “Kabuto-bachi”.

It was made of metal or leather, and the inside was made of cushioned materials such as reeds or cloth to protect the head from shocks. In addition to providing protection, it was also essential to have an “eye shade,” which functioned to protect the face while blocking out sunlight and rain, and a visor,which was a decoration to intimidate the opponent while protecting the face.

It was also necessary to have “sleeves” to protect the neck,

shoulders and arms, the protectors for throat and armpit.

There are various types of body parts,

such as “yukinoshita-dou” and “okegawa-dou,” which are made of a single iron plate, “hotoke-dou-,” which is a flattened okegawa-dou with lacquer applied to the seams, “mogami-dou”, and “hotokedou-munetoori”, which are made of horizontal plates stacked one on top of the other and tied together with thread.

The waist and thighs are protected by the “kusazuri”,

the thighs are protected by the “haidate”. The legs are protected by the “sune-ate, and the shins and knees are protected by the tate-age. In terms of detailed parts, there is the “kote” to protect the arms, the “Teko” which connects to the Kote and protects the back of the hand and fingers, and finally the “Wakizashi” and “Tachi” are equipped. These vary from part to part, but are mostly made of iron, leather, cloth and wood.

Armor was essential for self-promotion

As mentioned above, armor was elaborately made to protect the body, but it was also made from the perspective of how to show thier dignity, power and strength to others on the battlefield. Looking at the “tatemono” of the helmets, it is interesting to understand the thoughts of each warlord and how he wanted to present himself to the people around him. Let’s look at some famous samurai as examples.

I love to stand out! Date Masamune, the most fashionable samurai in the Warring States period.

Date Masamune was a man who wanted to stand out as his soldiers wore fancy and gorgeous costumes. On the other hand, the crescent moon on his helmet was a symbol of his devotion to Myoken Bosatsu and his wish for the prosperity of his country and the happiness of his people.

Uesugi Kenshin, who cared about his people

Uesugi Kenshin was known as a samurai who cared about his people, and he formwd his tatemono the “nichirin crescent moon” which means the light of the sun and moon. It was a form of “Marishiten,” like an invisible and elusive shimmer of the heated air, which was a god of good fortune and protection, as it meant to maximize your power and win the battle, while distracting the enemy. It seems that there were many samurai who believed in Marishiten.

Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a man who rose from a peasant to a ruler of Japan

It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi felt inferior that he was not born as a samurai. Therefore, he made the “baren” on the back of his helmet stand up like a halo to show that he was the son of the sun and a ruler of the country.This shows Hideyoshi’s character that he tries not to make people feel his weakness of hiding his inferiority. In this way, it is very interesting to see the unique personalities of different samurai through their respective armors.

Let’s experience Bushido

There are some places in Japan where you can experience Bushido, but here are a few that are popular among foreigners.

Iai experience

Iai is a swordsmanship that many foreigners are familiar with from Japanese culture. Iai is the only way to experience actually cutting down a bundle of straw with a Japanese sword, so you can absorb the sense of actually cutting.

Kenbu experience

In the Kenbu experience, you can learn how to use a Japanese sword and actually perform a Kenbu dance. You can learn how to hold, pull out, and put back the sword, and you can become a Japanese sord expert just by learning how to use the sword. However, you can understand more deeply by dancing with a fan and choreographing with actual traditional poems.

Zen experience

Since Bushido is an ideology influenced by Zen Buddhism and Confucianism, you will be able to experience Bushido through a Zen experience. When you try to experience Zen, it should be mainly Zazen(seated Zen meditation). However, in some places, you can even experience the tea ceremony and learn how to make and drink green tea. It is a good idea to find an experience that meets your preferences.

Tate experience

Tate is a performance that incorporates kendo and iai. The techniques used on stage and in movies are done by action professionals, so it may seem very difficult, but you can learn it at a regular dojo or studio. Therefore, by receiving instruction in basic movements, you will be able to do it even as a hobby.

Learn about “Samurai” and experience Japanese culture

Japanese “samurai” can be said to be deeply connected to the history of Japan. In Japan, you can experience a variety of samurai activities, and through these events, you will be able to feel the Bushido way of life that Japanese samurai have cherished since ancient times, which is to take responsibility for yourself and live through it.