During feudal Japan, a ninja (or shinobi) was a covert agent or mercenary. A ninja’s mission included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination, and combat in particular situations. Ninja could also cause confusion amongst the enemy during battle.
In contrast with samurai, their covert methods of waging war observed strict rules about honor and combat.
The ninja were stealth warriors and mercenaries hired mostly by daimyos. In modern times, ninjutsu is referred to as the skills ninja were required to master. Although, it is unlikely they were previously named under a single discipline, but were rather trained among a variety of covered espionage and survival skills.
During the Sengoku, or “warring states” period (15th–17th centuries), a specially trained group of mercenaries and spies became active in the Iga Province. Our knowledge of ninja is drawn from clans around these areas.
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Villages devoted to the training of ninja first appeared in these regions. It is possible that the remoteness and inaccessibility of the surrounding mountains may have had a role in the ninja's secretive development. Historical documents regarding the dawning of ninja in these mountainous regions are considered generally correct.
The ninja faded into obscurity following the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate (17th century). The tradition of the shinobi had become a topic of popular imagination and mystery in Japan by the time of the Meiji Restoration (1868). Some legendary abilities that professed to be in the province of ninja training include invisibility, walking on water, and control over the natural elements.
For this reason, the perception of ninja in 20th century western popular culture is often based more on legend and folklore than on the spies of the Sengoku
Did you know that samurai armor is made with the nail-polish? Its called lacquer and if enough is applied, it can be as strong as steel. Samurai were the warriors of Japan during the Medieval Times. Samurai should be considered the ultimate warrior for three reasons: 1: Samurai were loyal to their lords and they had no legal agreements. 2: Samurai follow a strict code and commit suicide if they disobey it.
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.
“The way of a warrior does not include other ways, but if you know the way, you will see it in everything,” Miyamoto Musashi. Roughly a thousand years ago, two elite groups of warriors arose amongst those in the eastern hemisphere, the samurai and knights. Although on different continents, both factions showed infinite similarities. As demonstrated in history, the similarities between samurais and knights immensely outweigh the differences.
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.
Chloe Lo Papa 2-8-18 Period 1 Warriors of the 11th Century “More Than a thousand years ago, a class of professional warriors arose, who swore oaths of loyalty to noble lords and fought to the death to defend them in battle. ”(Pg 243) In the 11th and 12th century, Japanese leaders were struggling to keep control of daimyos who were fighting for power. Meanwhile, Rome had recently fallen leaving Europe scattered. Lords and daimyos stopped relying on the government as much, so they hired the warriors and a feudal relationship between the two was created.
Musui 's Story is a samurai 's autobiography that portrays the Tokugawa society as it was lived during Katsu Kokichi 's life (1802 - 1850). Katsu Kokichi (or Musui) was a man born into a family with hereditary privilege of audience with the shogun, yet he lived a life unworthy of a samurai 's way, running protection racket, cheating, stealing, and lying. Before we discuss how Musui 's lifestyle was against the codes that regulated the behavior of the samurai, it is essential that the role of the samurai in Japanese society be understood.
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.
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
While ongoing change became the status quo in late-Tokugawa era Japan the ideals of the samurai—and the respect they receive—endured. And, because samurai could still fall back on the prestige their class represented, members of society still
Firstly, the traditions within Shintoism were important to help the Japanese people to connect with their ancestors and the nature around them. The word ‘Shinto’ itself means way of the gods. It is as old as the Japanese culture and was the only religion in Japan until the 6th century. According to the Shinto religion, there exists a basic life force called kami. Kami are close to human beings and respond to human prayers. They can influence the course of natural forces, and human events. Shinto tradition says that there are eight million kami in Japan. Due to their deep respect and love for nature and Japan itself, many shrines were set up in places of natural beauty. Followers went to pray here to receive good fortune and samurai would often go to the shrines to pray for victory before and after battle. Shinto’s traditions involved having a clean lifestyle. They washed and bathed everyday which made most of japan a fresh
The term ‘Bushido’ has over the years developed from the traditional translation of ‘the Way of the Warrior’ towards the more modern notion of a “national spirit of Japan, especially the military spirit.” This paper will analyse the impacts that various religious traditions such as Shintoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have had on shaping the classical ideals of the bushido code and the influences that the bushido code played on the actions of the kamikaze fighter pilots during World War II.
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
The film “Shadow Warrior” also known as “Kagemusha” was made by Kurosawa in the year of 1980. The film recounted the actual historical event about the death of a great samurai Shingen Takeda who was known as the head of Takeda family. The film started in the year of 1573 while all samurai families competed with each other and the final goal was to unite Japan as a whole. The period was also known as Sengoku period. The story began in Shingen’s place while his younger brother, Nobukado found a thief who looked almost exactly like his brother. The safety for the head of family was top priority during Sengoku period. Therefore, the using of substitute in order to confuse enemies was a common
Even though everyone knows their name, how much do we know really know about ninjas? Sure, we see ninjas on movies and in our books, but what part of the ninja history do we have no idea about. This research paper will explain most of the history behind the ninja.