Bushido: The Samurai Code

SAMURAI

In Japan, bushi (commonly known as a samurai) refers to warriors that existed from the Heian period up to the Edo period. Popular culture has long portrayed samurai as warriors who fought in a fury of sword fighting and elaborate maneuvers, but behind that is a long-standing philosophy that influenced them - that of bushidō (武士道), which was a code of ethics to be followed.

HISTORY

Originally, samurai were attendants to high ranking nobles, similar to lords and vassals in medieval Europe. This changed in later periods when samurai formed their own military government, and only those with family lineage, status, or nobility could become one. While they attained a high position in the ruling class, it was still common for them to associate with or operate under noble families of higher rank.

They used a variety of weapons during battle, with the most notable being their katana, a long sword of a single-edged blade with a slight curve that they had attached at their hip. The need for samurai grew when Japan entered its warring era (1500s-1600s), and when the land was brought together during the Edo period (early 1600s), the samurai were among the highest rank, bringing about a pivotal change in Japanese politics. Samurai were said to have a high literacy rate, right after nobles and priests. While their daily fighting practice was a necessity, it was also important to balance the stresses of battle with learning other subjects. Many samurai enjoyed shodō (calligraphy), which gave them the chance to express and reflect on their inner-self. This in addition to their abilities for combat and various art forms may have lent a hand in their high societal status in later history.

Shodō calligraphy is an artform that is commonly practiced by all ages in Japan. ©TOKI

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of bushidō or ‘the way of the samurai’, were originally based on a set of principles to be followed, and similar to traditional Japanese art forms, its influences were rooted in the teachings of Buddhism and Zen. Traits such as justice, courage, compassion, respect, integrity, honor, loyalty, and self-control were considered admirable. These principles are believed to have established a guideline of behavior for Japanese people as a whole.

IN MODERN SOCIETY

With the changing times, the need for samurai declined in the late 1860s, and the samurai class was removed some years later. While there are no samurai in Japan today, the philosophies of ancient times are now found and applied in martial arts, devotion to one's work, and the ceremonial quality found in traditional arts. The bushidō mindset continues and is reflected in cultural properties, arts, and festivals dedicated to well-known figures. Such examples are the various interpretations of historical dramas which have maintained popularity over the years with the Japanese public, and the Shingen-Ko festival in Yamanashi Prefecture (dedicated to a famous historical figure, Takeda Shingen), has been considered the largest samurai gathering in the world. Although samurai no longer exist in the modern world, the spirit of bushidō has and continues to influence the everyday lives of Japanese people.

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