How Did Samurai Government Become Peaceful

The entire Japanese culture is based on honor. Honor extends to the nation, the family, and the individual. The samurai are no exception to a code of honor. The samurai follow the code of bushido. Bushido is closer to the western term of chivalry. Bushido places emphasis on courage, benevolence, justice, politeness, truthfulness, honor, loyalty, and most importantly is self-control. The samurai's primary religion is Zen. The samurai adapted Zen easily due to the philosophy that fits closely to Buddhism. Samurai may act in the extreme when it comes to honor. They will kill anyone who may dishonor them or their lord. Nothing is worse to a samurai than to have corrupt dealings. Some of the warriors believed, "Honor is the power of deciding upon certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering … to die when it is right to die, to strike when to strike is right." Other warriors believed that "Honor is the bone that gives firmness and stature. As without bones the head cannot rest on top of the spine, nor hands move, nor feet stand, so without honor neither talent nor learning can make of a human frame a

It is clear that Honor plays a huge role in the practices of Samurais. This is made clear in the beginning of the text. He makes it clear that it is important to make sure they bring honor to their descendants, rather than just themselves.

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 Tokugawa Japan, “the way of the samurai”, also known as bushido, is defined by William De Bary, author of Sources of Japanese Tradition, as a samurai code of ethics in which one “reflects on his own station in life, gives loyal service to his master if has one, strengthens his fidelity in associations with friends, and with due considerations of his own position, devotes himself to duty above all” (206). The general purpose of bushido is a total sacrifice of self-autonomy and a samurai’s “willingness to die rather than dishonor their lord” (Lu 262).

Many people when they are young learn about the spectacular tales of knights and samurais fighting for their lands and protecting the people. Their actions back then even inspire others to try to do the same in their everyday lives. However, many don’t know how samurai and knights came to be and their true role in society. In the middle ages starting around the 5th century both Western Europe and Japan were facing a sharp decline in power by invasions, clans, and a weaker kingdoms. To reestablish order in both societies they adopted a feudalistic system.

The role of the samurai drastically changed during the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Their position changed and they were used for various reasons that hadn’t been undergone before. The Shogunate transformed the military forces of Japan into one army, Samurai forces were no longer needed as the Daimyo no longer needed to employ them to fend off other Daimyo and the Shogun. The Samurai left their military roles and began aristocratic lives as scholars, educated intellectuals and role models for much of the Japanese population. The changes were for the better and were beneficial for the development of Japanese society.

Japanese society respected the samurai as those who had the power to resolve conflicts and “keep the peace”. They were therefore entitled to govern the country because of their superior military power and peace-keeping ability. They ruled because of their power, yet they had to also prove their entitlement to do so. This is why legitimation was needed. Becoming a samurai and learning the way of the warrior was dependant on lineal descent. Warriors who were not of direct line ancestry were allowed to be subservient samurai yet were tabooed by the imperial court at ever becoming a shogun, the Great general who ruled over government in feudal Japan. In this age, pedigree was an important factor- it lent an air of legitimacy to naked

Samurai followed a code called Bushido the way of the warrior which taught followers to embrace the possibilities of death at any moment. Bushido as you know is the way of the warrior influenced the Samurai's behaviour and role in society by allowing the Samurai to be tempered by wisdom and serenity. Bushido developed by the 16th and 20th centuries. In 1899 Bushido was the code of moral principles which then Samurai were required observe, it's a code unwritten, it was a growth of centuries and decades of military career. In order to become a real Samurai this code had to be mastered. A lot of the Samurai had thought was based on the Zen Buddhism.

Spiritual practicing was a big role in the life of the samurai, if broken,a ritual suicide was a pathway to forgiveness.In medival Erupe the knights had a written code called chivarly if this code was broken nothing shall happen to them therfore it was broken an extreme amount of times,but, in medival japan it was much different the samurai practiced every day to stay the coorect warrior on the outside and on the inside.The code of bushido was to protect those who can not be protected,and to honor and serve your emperor and ancerstors.If the code of bushido was broken a samurai will commit a ritual sucide called sepuku a way of stabbing themselves in the abdemon and pulling up towards the liver if you did it improperly a fellow samurai would

Bushido or ‘The Way of the Warrior’ was a code that focused on honour and loyalty that was used for samurai. Samurai were part of the military of feudal Japan. The model samurai would not be feared of death, have absolute loyalty, was very stoic, honest and reliable. This and more was included in the code of bushido. There were 7 virtues of bushido, moral righteousness, courage, benevolence (kindness), respect, honesty, honour, loyalty with additional ones such as: filial piety(respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors) and care for the aged. If this code was not met by the samurai, they would have to take their own

From as early as the 8th century, the samurai lived as the elite warrior class of feudal Japan. “The business of the samurai is to reflect on his own station in life, to give loyal service to his master if he has one...to devote himself to duty above all” (Soko). They followed a strict code known as Bushido and it became their way of life. The word Bushido comes from the Japanese roots bushi meaning "warrior," and do meaning "path" or "way." It can be directly translated to “the way of the warrior.” These warriors had to always live by the Eight Virtues of Bushido: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Politeness, Sincerity, Honor, Loyalty, and Self-control. A samurai cannot even be considered a samurai without these virtues. Most people may have an idea of what these words mean, but they do not actually understand how to fully express these virtues. Samurai were able to become true embodiments of proper expression. By using different texts like Hojo Shigetoki’s A Samurai Instructs His Son, Inazo Nitobe’s Bushido, the Soul of Japan, and more, the eight virtues can be broken down into a more understandable level.

Long ago, government was a lot different than it is today. There were warriors, called Samurai warriors. A Samurai is a warrior that served in Japan. The training of a Samurai warrior started in the Samurai´s childhood. In training, they were required to kendo, which was ¨the way of the sword.¨ Most Samurai were Buddhist. Samurai based they way they lived off their religion. They were expected to live under the word of the Bushido, a strict ethical code influenced by Confucianism that stressed loyalty to one's master, respect for one's superior, ethical behavior in all aspects of life, and complete self-discipline. The Seven Virtues of Bushido had four main principles: 1-Frugality. No matter how wealthy the Samurai was, she lived in discomfort.

Throughout the many years, many have studied medieval Japan have pondered about the question, ‘’What were the 8 virtues of the samurai?’’. Today, I will talk about the studies of one primary and one secondary source that provides evidence to answer the question. The Samurai were warriors of medieval Japan that served and protected the land of their master from invasions under the command of the Shogun that provide them with rice allotments and land for payment. The Samurai were a group of fearless men that could ride horses and fight with or without weapons. Samurai wore metal plates with leather as armour, attached together with strings. These experienced groups were the only class that had the right to hold a Katana or any other sword.

Many old and new sources refer to the Samurai warrior’s attitude about death. John Newman explained the proper suicide of a warrior. It contained information about how there are no problems. Newman said “Bushido is simply choosing death. In general, it means that when the moment of decision comes, you simply act so as to die quickly. There are no complications about it.” (Newman 57). This shows that the Samurai chooses death and that he isn’t killed. It is something very honorable and it is to be done without any problems. Other sources show the Samurai’s attitude toward death. L Frederic portrayed the honorable act of Bushido in order to save the prince’s life. Frederic said “Yoshiteru climbed up on the watchtower of the second gate… he cut the handrail of the tower window so he could be better seen… Next he took off the jacket of his underdress… he thrust a dagger into his white skin. He cut in a straight line from the right to the left, cast his entrails onto the handrail, placed the point of the sword in his mouth and flung himself headlong towards the ground” (Frederic 190). This shows describes how a Samurai warrior saved the life of a prince by going to his spot in the watchtower, killed himself, and then flung himself to the ground to look like the enemy’s killed the prince. This shows the honorability of Seppuku, the ritual suiside, because the warrior is saving the princes life. These

The Sengoku “Warring State,” 1467 to 1603, was not, as aficionados assume, a world of lasting honor. Loyalties exchanged like yen coins. Ambitious warlords allowed family members to be kidnapped, and murdering young innocents was commonplace. An entire ruling clan, the Taira, was dispatched when rival children, spared rather than extinguished, grew and enacted revenge, finishing off Taira youths.