Kumazawa Banzan was the famous political philosopher from whom the source, “The Model Samurai”, was written. Kumazawa Banzan was actually a low ranking samurai with the status of ronin, meaning that he had no allegiance to a specific feudal lord nor any support from one. After five years of service employed by the Lord of Okayama, Kumazawa pursued an intensive program of training in the military arts to achieve his goal of becoming the model samurai. The source, The Model Samurai, explains why he wanted to become that samuai. Kumazawa had noticed when he was young a lack of agility in heavier set people and thought a heavy man would not be able to become a first class samurai. In order to maintain his physical stability, actions such as sleeping with a girdle on, not eating rice, not drinking wine, and abstaining from sexual intercourse …show more content…
This tells me that along with all the drastic training, he also did research and read about how to become more fit and also that he wrote about becoming a samurai. It also shows me that these samurai weren’t just a bunch of brutes training to become strong and gain agility. They were intelligent people who not only wanted to be physically ready, but mentally and intellectually as well. All of this in consideration shows me that not many would be able to make it as a samurai. This source is written in first person, where Kumazawa talks about his preparation to become a fit samurai. One strength that this source provided was the fact that it was written about a samurai, by that samurai. This makes it easier to believe that all of this wasn’t fictional because Kumazawa is writing about what he did, not what someone else did. A weakness about this source is definitely the lack of incorporation of others in the text. He has so much to talk about his experiences in isolation, but what about any interactions with other people throughout his
In document C1, written by PBS, the text states “The young warriors studied Kendo, the art of fencing with bamboo sticks.” Warriors in their youth studied Kendo, which might’ve been a factor in allowing samurais to be flexible and quick-moving. The knight could’ve possibly tried to strike at the samurai and due to the samurai’s specialized training, they could easily dodge it. Another piece of evidence that supports my claim is found in document C1, as well. The text states “In their schooling, they had physical training and learned poetry and spiritual discipline.” Samurais were not only apparently skilled physically but mentally as well. Thanks to the training they had, they most likely had a clear mind and were full of
This explains that the Samurai devoted his life to his lord and served him whole-heartedly. This also shows that he had respect for all people superior than him.
From approximately 1000 C.E. to 1600 C. E. The system of feudalism was dominating both Europe and Asia. Lords would give land to warriors in exchange for military services. In Europe, these warriors were called knights, and halfway across the world, in Japan, the warriors were called samurai (Doc. 1). Both the samurai and the knights used feudalism, and both had a code that they followed. Between the codes, feudalism, and even how they prepared for battle, the warrior’s similarities were, without a doubt, greater than their differences.
People say samurais are very well disciplined because of Bushido, and it is true. Bushido was the rule of the samurai code. Samurais were expected to live disciplined lives. In source 4, “The business of the samurai consists...in discharging loyal service to his master if he has one, in deepening his fidelity in associations with friends, and ...in devoting himself to duty above all” (Source 5). This statement can mean that samurais had to be devoted to being a samurai no matter what. Which meant staying true to all the rules. Also this is important because, not only did they have to be loyal to their duty, but also loyal to their friends and family. It can also be said,
Hundreds of centuries ago, in the Middle Ages, people, especially warriors, must learn to fight, dress in tons of armor, and most importantly obey similar codes. These powerful, fierce warriors fought for different empires, in different parts of the world! One group was the European knights and the other obtained the name of Japanese Samurai. Both groups must wear layers of uncomfortable armor, obey difficult codes, and most importantly take part in years of training. Although there are numerous similarities between European knights and Japanese Samurai, some differences need to be discussed.
In document C1 written by PBS, it states, the young warriors practiced kendo but also Confucianism, loyalty to one’s master, respect for superiors, ethical behavior, and self-discipline. This shows that samurai did not only practice physically but also mentally. Mental training would put them in the correct mindset in a fight and their fighting skills with many different weapons would place them with high advantage. Another piece of evidence that supports the claim is in document C2 written by PBS it says “they would go with their master knight into battle, dress him, feed him, and care for his horses in all hopes he would be deemed worthy.” This proves that a knight was busy with chores, therefore he had less physical
Today I will compare the Samurai with Knights. The samurai are warriors from Japan and Knights are warriors from Europe. The samurai and knights are both similar, but there are also many differences. The Samurai and knights training is my first topic.
Cameron, C. M. (2002). American samurai: myth, and imagination in the conduct of battle in the First Marine Division, 1941-1951. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Samurai training is more fit for training warriors than knight training. First of all, samaurai training involves all attributes that one needs to have in order to be a warrior. It incorporates both physical and spiritual training, both of which are important for effectively training a strong warrior who is ready for battle. Samurais train through martial arts, which is very beneficial for both the body and the mind. In order to be a warrior you must be fit physically and also mentally. Samurai training stresses this concept in order to create warriors well enough for battle. Samauri training also enforces a strict ethical code , called Bushido, which a samurai must live by. Included in this code are rules about staying faithful to one's
Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today
In Feudal Japan, people were influenced by the samurai because the samurai had to protect people. The painting of the male and female samurai shows that samurai had to protect others. The paintings show that the samurai were skilled, because they had a bow and sword, while riding a horse. They had to have been skilled to fight while on a horse. The samurai looked very prepared because they have to protect the people around them.
The Japanese warrior, known as the samurai, has played a significant role in Japan's history and culture throughout the centuries. Their ancestors can be traced back to as far as can be remembered. Some stories have become mysterious legends handed down over the centuries. In this report you will learn who the samurai were, their origins as we know them, how they lived and fought and their evolution to today. It will be clear why the samurai stand out as one of the most famous group of warriors of all times.
The samurai were élite warriors in Japan during the 1200’s to the early 1700’s. Fifth century Japan saw conflicts with Korea and China, but Japan had a very untrained army, with a clumsy Calvary, and poor infantry men (Blumberg 1). The reason was that horses were seen as a burden and were never bred to be strong, fast, and large for war purposes (Blumberg 2). In the 6th and 9th centuries, a series of rebellions in Japan began from the Emishi people of the northern home islands; these country people were very well-trained in mounted archery. The nimble Emishi would defeat the Japanese riders with ease (Blumberg 2). But during the war against the Emishi, Japan learned to breed horses for fighting, adapted new fighting methods, and developed
Yuzan Daidoji, Oscar Ratti, and Thomas Cleary. The Code of the Samurai. Boston: Tuttle, 1999. 10-44.
Seven Samurai can also be read as a plea for the formation of a Self-Defense Forces in Japan (Martinez 2007). Furthermore, Article 9 of the Japanese constitution “renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation and the treat or use of force as a means of setting international disputes (Yoshimoto 2000:206). Therefore, Japan was deprived of military capability and relied merely on the U.S occupational forces and a small domestic police force for security (Yoshimoto 2000). In this sense, Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai serves as a social commentary on the lack of Japan’s military power (Yoshimoto 2000). This is evident through the plot of the film which focuses on the farmer’s fear of outsiders, the bandits, infiltrating their village (Yoshimoto 2000).