The Start of the Samurai
The origin of the Samurai
The samurai, a class of highly skilled warriors developed in Japan after the Taika reforms of 646 CE. The reforms included land redistribution and heavy new taxes, meant to support a Chinese-style empire in Japan.
Meanwhile, a few large landholders that had a lot of power and wealth, creating a feudal system similar to medieval Europe's. The new feudal lords needed warriors to defend their riches. The samurai warrior (or "bushi") was born.
Meanwhile, a few large landholders that had a lot of power and wealth, creating a feudal system similar to medieval Europe's. The new feudal lords needed warriors to defend their riches. The samurai warrior (or "bushi") was born.
Early Feudal Era Samurai:
Some samurai were relatives of the landowners, while others were simply hired swords. In the 900s, the weak emperors of the Heian Dynasty (794-1185) lost control of rural Japan. The country was riven by revolt; the emperor soon wielded power only within the capital. Across the country, the warrior class moved in to fill the power vacuum. By 1100, the samurai effectively held both military and political power over much of Japan.
Rise of the Samurai Rule (End of the Heian Era):
When Emperor Toba died in 1156 without a clear successor, the weak imperial line received a fatal blow. His sons, Sutoku and Go-Shirakawa, fought in a civil called Hogen Rebellion. In the end they both lost and the imperial office lost all its remaining power. During this civil war, the minamoto and Taira samurai clans rose to prominence. They fought one another in the Heiji Rebellion. After their victory, the Taira established the first samurai-led government, or shogunate, with the emperor as a figurehead. The Minamoto clan were banished from the capital.
The End of the Samurai
The Meiji restoration and The Decline of the samurai:
In the 1868 The Meiji Restoration signaled the beginning of the end for the samurai. The Meiji system of constitutional monarchy included democratic reforms and popular balloting. With the public support, the Meiji Emperor did away with the samurai, reduced the power of the daimyo (feudal warlords), and changes the capital’s name from Edo to Tokyo.
Samurai Weapons
Early samurai were archers who were fighting on foot or on horses with extremely long bows called yumi. ( This is a picture of Samurai using the yumi)
After the Mongol invasions of 1272 and 1281, the samurai began to make more use of swords, as well as poles topped by curved blades called naginata, and spears.
Samurai warriors wore two swords, together called daisho - "long and short." The katana, a curved blade over 24 inches long, was suitable for slashing, while the wakizashi, at 12-24 inches, was used for stabbing. In the late 16th century, non-samurai were forbidden to wear the daisho.
Samurai wore full body-armor in battle, often including a horned helmet.
What weapons did they use:
- Bow and arrow
- Spears
- Halberds
- War fan
- Armor, muskets (after 16th century)
- Katana
- Wakizashi
Samurai warriors wore two swords, together called daisho - "long and short." The katana, a curved blade over 24 inches long, was suitable for slashing, while the wakizashi, at 12-24 inches, was used for stabbing. In the late 16th century, non-samurai were forbidden to wear the daisho.
Samurai wore full body-armor in battle, often including a horned helmet.
What weapons did they use:
- Bow and arrow
- Spears
- Halberds
- War fan
- Armor, muskets (after 16th century)
- Katana
- Wakizashi