INTRODUCTIONThe Samurai
MOST PEOPLE have a general impression of the samurai as heroic warriors, governed by a stern code of conduct and self-discipline, who embodied both fighting power and social virtue. This is a reasonable generalization, but like all social groups the samurai evolved over time. They were shaped by the same forces that created other societies worldwide – conflict, economics and a need to govern.
A depiction of the samurai warriors Ichijō Jirō Tadanori and Notonokami Noritsune locked in battle, showing the distinctive costume and weaponry associated with the samurai class.
The word ‘samurai’ can be translated as ‘those who serve’, which is not exactly the same thing asbushi, or warrior. The samurai class were a social group who served in a military capacity and were therefore definitely warriors, but for much of Japan’s history there were a great many warriors who were not samurai. To a large extent it was service, and therefore being a part of the stable social order, that defined the samurai as more than wielders of weapons.
Disgraced samurai, such as those who had failed to protect their master or who had actively betrayed him, were expected to commit suicide in a particularly unpleasant manner. Ritual self-disembowelment, known asseppuku, was the honourable alternative to defeat and the punishment for failure. It may seem incredible that anyone would actually do this, but the ideal pervaded society to the degree that a samurai who did not do the honourable thing would find his life was not worth living.Seppuku absolved the samurai of blame and ensured he would not bring disgrace upon his family. With such a harsh self-punishment hanging over them, the loyalty of samurai warriors was greatly enhanced.
BUSHIDŌ–CODE OF THE SAMURAI
The code of conduct followed by the samurai, which became known asbushidō, made them reliable servants and loyal warriors. It was not referred to in this manner until the 16th century and the details varied over time, but what did not change was that a warrior had to be loyal and honourable. Treachery and stealthy murder were as much a part of ancient Japanese politics as anywhere else, making reliable guards and vassals essential.
Royal envoys deliver instructions to Akodaimyo Asano Naganori that he is to commitseppuku as punishment for assaulting a fellow court official named Kira Yoshhinaka.
The class system in Japan
The rise of the samurai class to the top of Japanese society was natural. It is common in most cultures for a ruling elite to emerge and for this group to have both military duties and martial prerogatives. It is not unusual that those who risk their lives and engage in hard training to protect a society will want a hand in governing it, and of course those who can fight can take control if they want to. Once in control, limiting the ability of the lower echelons of society to mount a significant challenge greatly assists in maintaining the status quo.
Access to military training is one too
