Samurai Kyuzo Character Traits

The Samurai’s Tale by Erik Christian Haugaard is about a boy named Taro, the protagonist in the story. The major characters in the story are Taro, Yoshitoki, Lord Takeda Katsuyori, Lord Akiyama Nobutomo, and Togan. The setting of the story is in Japan, in around the 16th century. In the beginning of the story he was presented as a gift by the great Lord Takeda Shingen to Lord Akiyama after his parents had been killed. By using his wits and suppressing his fierce pride, Taro slowly escalates the ranks of his lord’s household until he achieves his greatest goal—becoming a samurai like his father and Lord Akiyama, whom he has come to admire. The life of a samurai is not so easy, Taro finds himself sacrificing opportunities of love and friendship

Imagine a knight, jousting in an arena in Europe during the Middle Ages. Surprisingly, across the world during approximately the same time period, samurai warriors fought in Japan. During the time period, 1000 to 1600 CE, the samurai and knights fought in battle in many different ways. Many differences between the samurai and knights included codes, armor, training, and religions. Without a doubt, the differences between the samurai and the knight overshadow the similarities.

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 samurai had an unwritten code of honor called the bushido. Bushido means “way of the warrior” (History of the Samurai 3). This provided them with a code to help show them how to live and conduct themselves at home and in battle. One of the most important duties of the samurai was their loyalty to their lord. The samurai would defend their lord until the death. Revenge was also central in the samurai’s

As Claus von Clausewitz wrote, “Courage, over all things, is the first quality of a warrior”. In both Western Europe and Japan, an unstable government led to the development of Feudalism, a social system in which lords grant land to nobles in exchange of loyalty and military service. It also introduced a stronger army which was made up of samurai, the Japanese warrior, or knights, the European warrior. The chivalry, or code of conduct of the knights, was made up of Christian beliefs. However, the samurai’s code of conduct, the bushido, was inspired by Confucian and Buddhist thought. Not only did religious beliefs influence the codes of behavior of a warrior, but Christianity influenced Europe, while Confucianism and Buddhism affected the religion in Japan. The differences between the Samurai and the Knights were greater than the similarities because of their armor, the bond to their mastor, and their view of death.

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

At various points throughout the novel, Mishima illustrated his view on the tradition of the Bushido code by using Shinji as an example. Shinji demonstrated the aspect of politeness through the multiple times he brought part of his catch of the day to the lighthouse keepers. Since Mishima is the one who created this character, Shinji, he showed his personal views through Shinji’s actions. Politeness was one of the several aspects that Mishima supported revolving around the Bushido code. Another example of the Bushido code that is shown by Shinji’s actions is courage. Shinji was courageous enough to swim out in the rough waves to tie a lifeline to the buoy. Once again, this portrays Mishima’s view on the Bushido code. Because Mishima wrote about courageous actions, this showed that courage is a major part for one to be considered Bushido. Overall, part of Mishima’s view on Japanese traditionalism revolved around the Bushido code.

In, document D - The Way of the Samurai, 1600’s: it talks about the code of Bushido and Chivalry. It says (paragraph 1) “ Outwardly he stands in physical readiness for any call to service in inwardly he strives to fulfill the Way….” this shows just how honorable a samurai could be. In Europe it was just the same (paragraph 2) it states “give mercy in those who ask for it” These similarities are significant because loyalty between the two, shows how much they trust each other. Without this trust and loyalty , these countries would be

We can also see the decline of the bushido way of life of the samurai by looking carefully at Katsu's life. The ideal samurai was supposed to be self-sacrificing, pure, modest, frugal, honorable and affectionate. With these values in mind Katsu could almost be seen as the antithesis to the samurai way of life. He stole from others, fought people for no reason or for prideful reasons, lied often and it seemed as though the people closest to him didn't really like him at all. He also spent times in the Edo red-light district and was actually the self-proclaimed

One of the things samurais and knights have in common is their code of honor. A samurai’s code was called Bushido, while a knight’s code was called Chivalry. According to “Yamaga Soko, The Way of Samurais”, and “Le Morte d'Arthur” by Sir Thomas Malory, it shows us how both samurais and knights have to follow a code in order to be an honorable warrior (Doc. E). Not only does it show us, it also explains to us that both codes were fairly similar, both positive and respectful to their people. This is crucial because it’s evidence that knights and samurais were more similar than different. In the code, it tells both that the trait of an honorable warrior must show courage and honesty. This explains how the teachings of their codes were similar. Another thing that they shared in common was their loyalty. In the code, both a knight and a samurai had to put their lord first, even before family. All three evidence provides the reasoning on why they are more similar than different.

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

Whilst Iguchi was inside the house to fight Zenemon Yogo, Iguchi did not have the desire to fight and kill him. Instead, he sat down and chatted with Zenemon and told him that he could still run if he wants to. He was hesitant about fighting and even lied that his sword was a bamboo but a fight still ensued in the end. This was different from the typical samurai who would begin fighting and slaying his enemies upon seeing them.

Heike Monogatari, with its multitude of battles and skirmishes, provides a wonderful chance to analyze the way of the warrior in ancient Japan. There aren't a great number of surviving works from this period that show in such great detail both the brute and the compassion of the Japanese warriors. They followed carefully a distinct set of principles which made up the well-rounded warrior. Loyalty to one's master, bravery and glory in any situation, strength, martial skills, compassion, and interest in the arts were all held with the highest esteem. Few warriors could become well known without possessing each of these skills. Religious beliefs shaped a warrior's behavior tremendously.

War played a central part in the history of Japanese samurai. As regional clans gathered manpower, resources and struck alliances with each other, they formed a hierarchy centered around a toryo, or chief. This chief was typically a relative of the emperor

Have you ever seen a TV show or a movie about Samurai? Have you ever seen someone dressed up as a Samurai, or read a book with one in it? Maybe you just have a vague idea in the back of your head. Well, guess what? That definition or example, you may think is a Samurai is probably only a small taste of what the calm yet strong warriors were like. Samurai were not only the fearless fighters that we may think of at first, in fact, they were educated, controlled, loyal, and well prepared people. To create a broader picture and to ensure that we don’t create stereotypes about samurai and the people of Japan in general, this PSA was created. The purpose of the different gradation of the various illustrations was to emphasize the middle illustration