History of the Samurai

A history of the Samurai must begin with the most important aspect of a Samurai: Bushido. Knowing about Bushido is how one knows the Samurai warrior. "Bushi" is translated as "Warrior" and "do" is translated as "the way". Thus Bushido means "the Samurai way of life". Bushido consisted of a rigid code of ethics that was to be followed devoutly with bravery, honor and loyalty as the most important aspects . The most revered Bushido tenet was "freedom from fear". A Samurai was to live every moment with no fear of death, thus giving them the freedom to follow the Bushido code without hesitation and without fail. This philosophy was to be held sacred, even if one had to sacrifice one's life to pursue these ideals.

The elite Samurai warrior trained for many years in the art "Bujutsu". The Samurai were experts in a wide variety of combat skills including ground fighting, fighting unarmed, fighting with arms and fighting from horseback. Early Samurai used bow and arrows, and swords. Later Samurai used swords, spears and naginata (halberds). Samurai often named their swords, in a dedication of devotion. They believed that their warrior spirit was contained within their swords. They dedicated their lives to the combat arts of Bujutsu.

The Samurai wore two swords, a wakizashi and a katana. Their swords were made by master swordsmiths and quality tested on the corpses of criminals.

The Samurai culture rose from the ongoing wars over land among the Minamoto, Fujiwara and Taira clans. Though the Samurai originated from regional groups of ancient warriors, they quickly lost their provincial ways. They developed a unique, sophisticated culture that was renowned for stoicism, honor and military expertise during the Kamakura period (1192-1333).

During the Muromachi period (1338-1573), Samurai culture created the idea of artist-warrior. Samurai training began to include the ritualized tea ceremony and flower arranging to add refinement and balance to the warrior persona. The code of Bushido became formalized.

The Samurai were considered the aristocratic warrior class of Japan. The peak of the Samurai era was in 12th century Japan where they enjoyed the benefits of belonging to a unique, privileged class. The Samurai were able to wear their swords freely and had the right to kill any peasant who offended them.

The downfall of the Samurai began during the Edo period (1603-1867). Two hundred and fifty years of peace had made the Samurai archaic: they were allowed to wear their swords, but had to accept non-warrior jobs to survive. The booming economy during this time of peace further excluded the ascetic principles of the Samurai, as most Japanese citizens were enjoying the new luxuries that accompany economic prosperity.

The gradual decline of the Samurai continued until the last Shogun resigned during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Dissatisfied Samurai had led the revolt against the shogun, but the new government abolished feudalism and betrayed the Samurai by stripping them of all their privileges in 1871. Thus ended the era of the Samurai.

The history and philosophy of the Samurai lives on in the form of the Samurai sword, which has become a much sought after symbol of this historic and heroic bygone era.

Samurai Terms

Batto-jutsu
A sword-drawing art that includes cutting rolled straw targets

Bo-jutsu
Staff fighting

Budo
Martial or Fighting Arts

Bushido
The Way of the Warrior

Chokuto
Straight sword used in Japan's early history

Daimyo
Feudal landowner

Daisho
Samurai's two swords (one long - katana, one short - wakizashi)

Edo Period
1600 - 1867 when Tokugawa government ruled Japan

Giri
Samurai's duty

Gunpai
War fan

Hakama
Divided skirt-pants Samurai wore

Heian Period
782 - 1184 when Japan's capital was located in Kyoto

Iai-jutsu
Art of Drawing the Sword

Kamakura Period
1185 - 1332 when the capital of Japan was in Kamakura. Known as the "golden age" of the Japanese sword.

Kampaku
Regent

Katana
Long sword

Ken
Sword - refers specifically to an ancient, two-edge sword made before the ninth century

Ken-jutsu
Art of the Sword

Koto
Swords made before the Edo Period

Kyo-jutsu
Bow and arrow fighting

Kyuba no michi
The Way of the Horse and Bow

Kyu-jutsu
Japanese archery

Mei
Name of a sword

Momoyana Period
1573 - 1599 when Samurai began wearing daisho. Also beginning of the Shinto (new sword) period.

Mon
Family crest worn on montsuki

Montsuki
Kimono top Japanese wore at formal occasions

Muramasa
Sword maker

Muromachi Period
1392 - 1572 when constant civil wars greatly increased the production of swords.

Musha-shugyo
Warrior pilgrimage

Naginata
Long pole with curved blade on one end

Naginata-jutsu
Way of the Naginata

Nambokucho Period
1333 - 1391 when two emperors were vying for power in Japan

No-dachi
Long sword

Ronin
Master-less Samurai

Ryu
Particular school or style of martial arts

Samurai
Member of the warrior class

Sensei
Teacher

Seppuku
Ritual suicide

Shin Shinto
"New New Sword" - any sword made after Meiji Restoration (1870)

Shinto
"New Sword" - any sword made between 1596 and 1870

Shogun
Barbarian subduing General (war lord)

So-jutsu
Spear fighting

Sohei
Warrior monks

Tachi
Long, deeply curved sword that mounted Samurai used in ancient Japan

Uchigatana
"Inside sword" - a term for the longer of two swords Samurai wore

Wakizashi
Short sword

Zanshin
Samurai's sensing danger