Samurai stories are world-renowned and there are an overwhelming amount of movies, plays and books that feature Samurai and related fictions. Really Samurai is the name of a powerful military class that existed in feudal Japan. Same as the fictions about them, their real history is also enchanting for everyone irrespective of age.
To understand the development of Samurai art we must first realize how this warrior class came into existence. It was in the 12th century when Japan was suppressed in clashes between two powerful local clans known as the Taira and the Minamato. It was during this time that the Japanese system of rule known as Shogunate with the Shogun on top was formed.
The daimyo were the second in command in the hierarchy of the Shogunate. This position was equal to that of dukes in Europe. The Samurai class was then the military of a daimyo. Ronin is the name given to a Samurai that did not have a master. This happens when their master is forced to commit suicide.
The Samurai caste enjoyed many privileges which was not allowed for the common people. They were licensed to carry two swords while the common people were restricted from carrying any. They were even allowed to decapitate any ordinary citizen who came to hurt them.
The Samurai tribe itself was categorized into three classes - the administrators who were named housemen, soldiers who were permitted to fight on horse back named mounted Samurai and the foot soldiers.
Over the years the role of the Samurai changed as they now became independent farmers who were limited to the castles. They were also authorized to a certain percentage of the rice tax based on their ranks. The code of ethics followed by the Samurai class was known as Bushido which meant the way of the warrior. It was based around obedience towards their leader called the daimyo.
A strange custom of committing suicide known as Suppuku existed among them. They believed it as a noble way of death and was performed at the battle field or outside the battle as a formal function. Eventually, the era of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.
The colourful history of the Samurai plus the glorification they accomplished through the film media and other such publications led them to be known on a global level. For many non-Japanese people the concept of a Samurai was very intriguing. The perfect discipline and the code of ethics followed by the Samurai was something unbelievable for the rest of the world.
The Samurai life had a great impact on the Japanese art of those times because of the power and position they had in the society. Their life, history and culture had been depicted in the Japanese art works with all the charm. These arts catch the attention of everyone including those who are not at all familiar with the Japanese way of life.
To understand the development of Samurai art we must first realize how this warrior class came into existence. It was in the 12th century when Japan was suppressed in clashes between two powerful local clans known as the Taira and the Minamato. It was during this time that the Japanese system of rule known as Shogunate with the Shogun on top was formed.
The daimyo were the second in command in the hierarchy of the Shogunate. This position was equal to that of dukes in Europe. The Samurai class was then the military of a daimyo. Ronin is the name given to a Samurai that did not have a master. This happens when their master is forced to commit suicide.
The Samurai caste enjoyed many privileges which was not allowed for the common people. They were licensed to carry two swords while the common people were restricted from carrying any. They were even allowed to decapitate any ordinary citizen who came to hurt them.
The Samurai tribe itself was categorized into three classes - the administrators who were named housemen, soldiers who were permitted to fight on horse back named mounted Samurai and the foot soldiers.
Over the years the role of the Samurai changed as they now became independent farmers who were limited to the castles. They were also authorized to a certain percentage of the rice tax based on their ranks. The code of ethics followed by the Samurai class was known as Bushido which meant the way of the warrior. It was based around obedience towards their leader called the daimyo.
A strange custom of committing suicide known as Suppuku existed among them. They believed it as a noble way of death and was performed at the battle field or outside the battle as a formal function. Eventually, the era of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.
The colourful history of the Samurai plus the glorification they accomplished through the film media and other such publications led them to be known on a global level. For many non-Japanese people the concept of a Samurai was very intriguing. The perfect discipline and the code of ethics followed by the Samurai was something unbelievable for the rest of the world.
The Samurai life had a great impact on the Japanese art of those times because of the power and position they had in the society. Their life, history and culture had been depicted in the Japanese art works with all the charm. These arts catch the attention of everyone including those who are not at all familiar with the Japanese way of life.
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