Since18th century, samurai and samurai culture may be over-romanticized as the epitome of chivalry and honor, but there are many examples that show that they show great courage and loyalty to their masters, especially when they fail or even commit suicide by ritual. The death of their master. However, the war in medieval Japan was bloody and uncompromising, because it happened anywhere, and money was often the main motivation for many soldiers to participate in the battle. Since17th century, samurai no longer need to hold military posts, so they often become important moral teachers and consultants in the community.
Development and present situation
Japan's conscription system ended in 792, so a private army was set up in Heian period (794- 1 185) to protect the land interests of nobles who spent most of their time abroad. Imperial court. This is the beginning of the samurai. The name means "waiter" and the verb samurau means service, so the word was originally a class, not a military occupation later. There are other classes of samurai, but the samurai class is the only class that serves the imperial court.
Samurai began to formulate a set of codes (Bushido) to win their reputation and status among peers and masters.
Warriors were employed by feudal lords (Daming) for their material skills, in order to defend the lords' territory against opponents, against enemies identified by * * *, and against hostile tribes and bandits. Therefore, soldiers can live in military camps, castles or their own private houses. With the samurai finally organized into a group led by warlords with political power, they were able to take over the weak imperial court ruled by warlords such as Yuan Dynasty in the12nd century. So from the Kamakura era (1 185- 1333), a new military system led by warriors and generals (military dictators) was established. So it will last until19th century.
Many soldiers came from the Kanto Plain and gained valuable experience in the movement against the Ainu tribes in the north. In these battles, soldiers began to formulate codes of conduct, which made it possible for them to win reputation and improve their status among their peers and masters. Courage on the battlefield is naturally the most important. It is the tradition of samurai to ride horses, shout their own blood and past deeds and challenge any enemy to play singles. These voice statements were later replaced by banners in samurai culture.
It was not until the Edo period (1603- 1868) that samurai developed a completely standardized status and hierarchy. Mainly divided into three levels:
Gokenin (Otaku), the lower class and vassal of feudal lords.
Goshi (national samurai), they can cultivate their own land, but they can't have two swords of full samurai level.
Sakamoto (flag bearer), the highest level. Only these soldiers will sacrifice to protect the interests of the Lord.
All warriors were supervised by their lords, but from 1 180, a national warrior-Dokol (Reservation Committee) was established to supervise Gokening and take disciplinary measures against any misdemeanor when necessary. Starting from 159 1, samurai no longer allow farmers and soldiers. They must choose one life or another, because it will make them more dependent on their master and thus more loyal to their master.
/kloc-Soldiers who started training at the age of 0/0 or even earlier fought on horseback in the early Middle Ages.
Many samurai have their own full-time assistants or white gods, and they also work on any land owned by their owners. Samurai only account for 5-6% of the total population (1600:180,000), and these people are not women (although there is a separate and very small female samurai class called onna bugeisha or "women with military skills").
Warrior weapon
Samurai began to receive martial arts training from the age of 10 or even earlier. In the early Middle Ages, they fought on horseback, mainly using bows and arrows and machetes when necessary. They have a second shorter sword. 1588, the ruler Xiuji issued a decree stipulating that only complete warriors can wear double swords, which became an important status symbol. Samurai also learn martial arts. There were 18 kinds of martial arts in the edo period, but the most precious samurai skills were always equestrian, archery and fencing. Since17th century, the sword has replaced the bow as a typical samurai weapon-mainly because the bow is much cheaper and can be used by ordinary infantry-so this more unique sword is called the "samurai soul".
Bows are usually made of laminated bamboo strips around the wood core. Rattan can also be added to increase strength, and the whole painting can prevent rain. The length of the arrow depends on the archer's skill, but the typical length in the Middle Ages was 86-96 cm (34-38 inches). The shaft is made of young bamboo, and the arrow is made of iron or steel. Birds' feathers are used to make three or four arrows to keep them stable in flight. Heavy wooden saddles with leather stirrups are designed to provide a stable platform and allow riders to stand while shooting.
The mountain city is curved and made of steel-this design combination can be traced back to Japan in the 8th century. Steel is processed by craftsmen, who carefully control the carbon content of each part of the blade to obtain maximum strength and flexibility. Because of this, it can be said that Japanese Dao is one of the best and sharpest knives produced in the Middle Ages. The blades are different in length, but elite soldiers often carry two swords-a long sword and a short sword. The blade length of a long sword (Mountain City) is about 60 cm (2 feet), and that of a short sword (Bi Xia) is about 30 cm. Both swords are worn on the top blade. In Daxi, compared with earlier and longer swords (the length of the blade is 90cm/3ft), the blade is worn and hung on the belt, while other types of swords pass through the belt. The hilt of the sword is made of wood, wrapped in the tough skin of the giant thunder, and tied tightly with ribbons. The blade is separated from the handle by a small circular armguard. A samurai can also carry a dagger as the last weapon. Swords and daggers are kept in lacquer sheaths and can be decorated with advanced decoration.
Early samurai also used weapons that were later more related to ordinary infantry. This is Ali and Naginata. Yard varies in length, but the blade is double-edged, ranging in length from 30 to 74 cm (12-29 inches). Some blades are L-shaped and used to hook enemy horses. In the Japanese war, spears were usually not thrown, but used to stab the enemy. A long knife is a long rod with a long curved single-edged blade on it. The size of the rod is 120 to 150 cm (4-5 feet), and the size of the steel blade can reach 60 cm (2 feet). This weapon is used to sweep, chop and stab enemies, and it becomes a martial art, especially for the daughters of samurai.
The Japanese became familiar with gunpowder weapons through their contact with China, but it was not until the arrival of the first Europeans in the middle of16th century that firearms were finally brought into the Japanese war. By the end of that century, about one-third of the field troops were equipped with muskets-matchlocks, and some later soldiers carried pistols.
Samurai armor
The breastplate sewn from metal plate and protected by paint can be traced back to ancient tomb times (about 250-538). Then make more flexible armor with narrow strips of bronze or iron and fix them together with ropes or rubber bands. Throughout the Middle Ages, leather plating was another common armor material because it was light and flexible. Since the Heian period (794- 1 185), warriors often put a silk cloak on their armor and tie it around their necks and waists. It is designed to expand with the flow of air, and can deflect the arrow or be used as the identification sign of the wearer.
Box armor such as oyoroi hangs on the shoulder. This model weighs about 30 kilograms (62 pounds). The original package is simpler and more flexible, with a more close-fitting trunk breastplate and a short skirt consisting of eight sections. The thigh may be protected by a haidate, the calf by a shin guard or knee pad, and the hand and forearm by a half-nail sleeve or knee pad. Once guns appeared on the battlefield, the strong armor on the chest became popular, which was usually imported or copied from Europe. Strangely, despite so much physical protection, maybe I haven't heard the story of Achilles, in which the soldiers didn't protect their feet, but only wore socks and simple rope sandals.
Kabuto is most commonly made of riveted iron or steel plate. It is in the form of a cap with protruding wings on the side and neck to provide extra protection. Sometimes, wearing masks or masks with fierce carving features and beards. Some helmets have impressive crowns in the form of crescent, horse feathers or animal horns and antlers (real or stylized), but these are usually worn by celebrities. In order to increase the comfort under the helmet, samurai often shaved off the front hair, which became a fashion in the16th century. The rest of the hair is longer, tied into a bun (chachen-gami) or a three-fold cylindrical hair (mitsu-ori). In the battle, the samurai became depressed and depressed (in any sense).
Medieval armor and helmets usually indicate the rank, department and hometown of samurai through colored stitches, heraldic badges and painting symbols, some of which are related to their families or military houses (Booker). Dragonfly is a popular symbol on armor, because this insect can't fly backwards, so it represents the samurai's mentality of not flinching. Flags are also used to identify who is on the battlefield, although their size is controlled and related to the special status of samurai.
bushido
Bushido, or Supreme Daoism, which means "Samurai Daoism", is a famous code of conduct for samurai, but it was not compiled by scholar Zongzi Masako (1622- 1685) until the late 7th century. At that time, samurai no longer actively participated in military affairs, but more played the role of moral guidance and consultant. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the level of knight soldiers' actual practice in history. It seems that pragmatism, like any warrior in any other culture, may prevail on the day when the battle really takes place. There is no doubt that the samurai showed great courage and military skills, but they often violated their promises and armistice agreements, and their villages were burned and the defeated were slaughtered, because the honor came from victory rather than from other places. First of all, samurai are driven by economic interests and social status, so they have an annoying obsession with collecting the beheadings of victims. It is true that although the chivalrous reputation of soldiers was superimposed in the history of Japan in the late Middle Ages, especially in the aspects of austerity, loyalty and self-discipline, it is not uncommon to see large-scale defections in combat, including generals. For example, in the battle of Guanyuan at 1600, at least five generals and their troops changed their positions in the battle. It is not uncommon for large-scale defections to occur in combat, including generals. For example, in the battle of Guanyuan at 1600, at least five generals and their troops changed their positions in the battle. It is not uncommon for large-scale defections to occur in combat, including generals. For example, in the battle of Guanyuan at 1600, at least five generals and their troops changed their positions in the battle.
When it comes to farmers, samurai are not always noble. These soldiers became notorious among later European tourists because they beheaded complete strangers on the roadside just to test whether their swords were still sharp. This annoying habit is called "crossing parking". Nevertheless, the samurai do have laws on their side, because the Tokugawa shogunate (1603- 1868) specially granted them this right. If they think that person is rude, then they can kill people below them-roughly defined as "acting in an unexpected way".
pray for blessings
People in the upper ranks of samurai should fight to the death, even if it means committing suicide to avoid being arrested. The glorious method is laparotomy (also known as laparotomy) or self-laparotomy, because the stomach is considered to contain the spirit, not the heart. The fighter first puts on a white robe symbolizing purity, and then cuts the abdomen from left to right with a knife. This is not a particularly quick or effective way to commit suicide. Assistants usually hold a special sword called kaishakunin to behead the samurai. Just as samurai often commit suicide when their master does this, followers of samurai also commit suicide after losing their master, which is called gentleman or "following death".
Samurai heroes: justice classics
Many heroes in Japanese mythology are warriors, and nothing is more famous than the legendary Book of Changes (1159-1189). Yuan Yijing, formerly known as Niu Ruowan, the younger brother of the shogunate, was a meritorious general in the Battle of Yuan Ping (1180-1185). His legendary status stems from his epitome as a loyal, respectable and calm soldier. He learned swordsmanship when he was young, and cleared several robbers in the countryside, forcing the Buddhist monk Hua Qing to become his loyal servant. He won many battles, especially in No.1 Valley. He led the cavalry into the front, and finally Wang Pu jumped off the bridge, which finally caused his brother's jealousy. So the Book of Changes fled to northern Japan, and it was not until Huaqing pretended that the Book of Changes was an unlucky servant and beat him that he passed the border control. But the hero did not have a happy ending, because the shogunate finally found and blocked the Book of Changes in a castle, which was later burned down. In some versions of the myth, Yijing escaped and became the Mongolian prince Temujin, later known as Genghis Khan. The story of Yijing has become the main theme of kabuki and Neng Opera.
47 Ronin
Perhaps the most famous example of samurai in real life, the plot of mass caesarean section, and the excellent example of maintaining honor through death is that Shijushichishi happened in 1703 65438+ 10 (although today is commemorated every year on 65438+February 14). One day, Lord Asano Nagaakira Nagano of Akano (1665- 170 1) was in the castle of the shogunate, and was received by the (less diplomatic) chief of protocol of the shogunate, Yoshinaka (1641-/kloc- Changde foolishly drew his sword, committed a capital crime within the city wall, and was forced to cut his abdomen by the shogunate. However, 47 of his samurai followers, now known as ronin ("wanderers" or "ownerless warriors"), vowed to take revenge on Kyrgyzstan. After waiting for two years, they finally found their man and put his beheading on the grave of their dead master. After many public debates, the ronins were punished for their crimes, and they could choose execution or caesarean section. 46 years old (the number of missing persons is unknown), aged between 15 and 77 years old, decided to undergo caesarean section, thus ensuring their legendary status as the biggest followers of the samurai code. The ronin was buried beside the mage of Xianyue Temple.
Decline and subsequent myths
The stability policy of Tokugawa shogunate brought relative peace to Japan, and the importance of samurai and local troops was greatly reduced. This continues the process that began when the rural people were disarmed half a century ago. In addition, many samurai are faced with becoming servants of peaceful farmers or local lords without war, so they become teachers, administrators (especially in the financial field) and moral guides. Samurai still enjoy a high social status and are members of the academic hierarchy, which makes them higher than the hierarchy of businessmen, craftsmen and farmers in the hands of philistines. 1872, the Japanese army reintroduced the conscription system, and the samurai group was officially dissolved in 1876, although the descendants of the former samurai group continued to be called the four major families before World War II.
Samurai and their martial arts are hot topics in the stories of military uniforms or samurai in 14 and 15 centuries, which recall the early Middle Ages. /kloc-Japan in the 0/8th century witnessed the greater romanticization of samurai. For example, in the anecdote about samurai in peacetime 17 1300 compiled in 2006, Yamamoto Hengyou boldly pointed out at the beginning that "Bushido is a way of death". Thanks to cartoons, computer games and other media, the reputation of samurai continues to flourish today, ensuring their position as one of the great samurai groups in the medieval history of the world.
The content was generously supported by the Sasakawa Foundation of the United Kingdom.