Who were the Samurais?

The Japanese Samurai are famous for their legendary martial prowess, unwavering discipline, and deep sense of honor. However how true is this image of these Warriors? In this article, we will delve into the world of the Samurai, explore their origins, and daily routines, and separate fact from fiction.

Group of samurai scholars, Nagasaki, 1864. Source: Photofair

The Origins of the Samurai

The samurai first appeared in the early Heian period between 794 and 1185 AD. This was when Japan was transitioning from a centralized bureaucratic system under the emperor, to a decentralized one. As the central government's power waned, Regional Clans began to assert their dominance, leading to increased skirmishes and conflicts over land and resources. These clans required skilled warriors to protect their interests and territories, and thus the early Samurai emerged. 

Illustration of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. He was a Japanese general and shogun of the early Heian Period. Source: 前賢故実

The original meaning of the word Samurai was to serve. Theoretically, the Samurai existed to serve the Japanese emperor, however, in reality, they served a regional warlord known as a Daimyo who was willing to pay for their services. The hierarchical structure of feudal Japan placed the emperor at the top, a divine and symbolic figure. However, real political power often rested with the Shogun, the military dictator, who was typically from a prominent Samurai family. Beneath the Shogun were the Daimyo, powerful regional lords each commanding their army of Samurai. 

The Bushido Code: The way of the warrior

At the heart of the Samurai code of ethics lay a concept known as Bushido, often translated as "The way of the warrior". This unwritten code of conduct governed the Samurai's moral principles guiding their actions on and off the battlefield. Bushido emphasized virtues that went beyond mere martial prowess. 7 core virtues were meant to define Samurai behavior. 

The rectangle outlines the Japanese term ''mono no fu no michi". Source: The National Institute of Japanese Literature

"Gi" or Righteousness, emphasizes making the right decision not based on personal feelings or emotions but on a deep sense of morality. A samurai was expected to uphold justice and act with a clear distinction between right and wrong.

"Yu" or Courage was not just about bravery and battle, it was about doing what was right even in the face of adversity or certain defeat.

"Jin" or Compassion stressed that samurai were expected to exhibit pity for those less powerful than themselves. They were trained to be empathetic, caring for the well-being of others, and offering assistance whenever necessary.

"Rei" or Respect encompassed a wide range of behaviors, from how samurai treated their superiors to their demeanor towards enemies. It was a reflection of their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.

"Makoto" which means honesty and sincerity taught that deception and dishonesty had no place in the samurai code. Whether in words or actions, a samurai was expected to be genuine and straightforward. 

"Meiyo" or Honor was the cornerstone of a samurai's existence. Their honor and the honor of their family and Lord were paramount and they were expected to defend it even at the expense of their own lives.

"Chugi" or Loyalty was the bedrock of the feudal system in which the samurai operated. Their unwavering allegiance to their lord was non-negotiable and they were expected to serve with utmost dedication.

Revenge of the 47 Ronin. Source: WikiMedia

Despite the existence of these virtues they were not universally adhered to by individual Samurai, for instance, even though Samurai were meant to be loyal to their masters even to death some Samurai would leave to find a new lord to serve, and other Samurai even took the opportunity to wander freely without a lord to serve. Those who did this were called "Ronin". There was no set rule for what a Ronin should do because he was his own master. Many Ronin became nothing more than robbers and thieves using their military skills to intimidate peasants.

What did the Samurai wear?

Samurai can be called the rock stars of their time: their clothing style greatly influenced the fashion of that era. However, except on special occasions, the samurai dressed discreetly in everyday life. Although their daily costume was complex, every aspect was designed to suit the needs of the warriors. 

Japanese: A picture of "hitatare" from "Drawings of Costume Wearing."

The suit had to provide speed and freedom of movement. The usual outfit consisted of hakama pants and a kimono or hitatare - a double-length vest thrown over the shoulders. A weapon was a common part of the suit, and the hitatare could be instantly discarded if attacked. Kimonos were made of silk, which provided a beautiful appearance and coolness. Wooden shoes or sandals were used as footwear. 

The most common hairstyle was the bun. Except for Buddhist monks who shaved their heads, people of all classes have worn buns for hundreds of years. The habit of combining a topknot with a partially shaved head may have developed out of necessity—it was more convenient to wear a helmet with a shaved forehead.

Samurai Weapons and Armor

The samurai equipment armor and weapons were meticulously crafted to reflect the warrior status, skill, and the functional demands of combat. Each piece wasn't only a tool of war, and a work of art imbued with symbolism and crafted with unparalleled precision. 

Samurai o-yoroi armour from the Tokyo National Museum. Source: Flickr

Their armor known as "Yoroi" was designed to provide maximum protection while allowing flexibility and mobility. Made of lacquered leather or metal plates, these plates were laced together with silk or leather cords, creating a flexible structure that could absorb and distribute the force of blows. 

Helmet (Hoshi-Kabuto), Japanese, inscribed by Iyehisa of Nara (MET, 48.63.4)

The helmet or "Kabuto" was a particularly significant component of the armor often adorned with decorative features like crests or ornamental wings. The Kabuto was both a protective gear and a symbol of the wearer's identity and status.

Antique Japanese (samurai) menpo, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Source: Flickr

Protecting the face was the "Mempo" or facial armor which often included a fearsome mask designed to intimidate opponents while safeguarding the Samurai's face from cuts and strikes. These masks were sometimes created to resemble demons or fierce animals, adding a psychological edge to the Samurai's presence on the battlefield.

The Samurai's primary and most iconic weapon was the "Katana". This long-curved sword was celebrated for its sharpness and cutting ability. Katana forged using a unique process that involved folding and reforging the steel multiple times. Its creation was considered an art form with master swordsmiths being held in high esteem. 

Daisho owned by Uesugi clan. Late Edo period. Author: SLIMHANNYA

The Wakizashi is the smaller copy of the Katana. The Wakizashi would have often been worn alongside the Katana, and this combination of swords is referred to as a “Daisho”.

The Yumi or longbow, was a formidable weapon in the hands of the samurai. Its asymmetrical shape allowed for more efficient use on horseback, a significant advantage in battle. The Sengoku period saw trade with the Portuguese and this brought with it the Matchlock Gun. At this point, the bow was relegated to more of a sporting weapon as opposed to one that would be used in actual combat.

The Naginata is a form of curved bladed pole. It is the iconic weapon of the Female Samurai. It was also used by Warrior Monks and Commoners. They had several advantages over a sword. For example, they could be used to create space on a battlefield and of course, they had a longer reach. 

The Yari was one of the staples of the Samurai and was used much more often than swords because of their favorable longer reach and effectiveness against the Cavalry. It differs from the Naginata in that it is straight and not curved.

Onna-bugeisha: Female Samurai

The word "samurai" is traditionally applied only to men. The Japanese bushi class, to which they belonged, made it possible to teach martial arts to women - such women were called “Onna-bugeisha” and participated in wars along with men. Their weapon, as a rule, was a Naginata - a spear taller than a man with a blade resembling a long curved sword. This weapon, compared to others, was relatively light and quite effective.

Tomoe Gozen was one of the few examples of a true female samurai in all of Japanese history. By Kikuchi Yosai

Historical texts suggest that there were few female warriors among all Japanese women of noble origin - traditionally, Japanese noblewomen were content with the role of housewives. However, recent research shows that women participated in combat operations much more often than is written in history books. For example, a DNA analysis was carried out on the remains of participants in one major battle, and it turned out that 35 out of 105 belonged to women.

The Real Last Samurai

In the film “The Last Samurai”, one of the main characters, Katsumoto, is an extremely positive hero who wages a desperate, albeit hopeless, struggle for the ideals of the Japanese military class. The hero of the film had a prototype - Saigo Takamori. 

Saigo Takamori initially supported the movement against the actual rulers of Japan - the shoguns of the Tokugawa house. Their opponents united around the young Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji). The struggle to return real power to the emperor was called the “Meiji Restoration”. 

A faithful portrait of Saigo Takamori (oil on canvas) by Ishikawa Shizumasa (1848–1925). Source: Osaka City Museum

Saigo Takamori was one of the most determined supporters of the overthrow of the shoguns. He formed an army that inflicted a crushing defeat on the shogun's supporters.

During the early years of Mutsuhito's reign, Saigo Takamori wielded great influence. However, his views on the further development of the country came into sharp conflict with the opinions of other members of the government. “The Last Samurai” was against the modernization of the country—more precisely, against focusing on European countries and the United States when carrying out reforms. In addition, he was in favor of annexing Korea, which other members of the government did not want at the time. In 1873, Saigo Takamori left the government but retained his post as head of the military department. 

In 1876, the Meiji government deprived the samurai of all benefits and privileges. They were also forbidden to wear special hairstyles that emphasized their belonging to the military class. The following year, an uprising began, led by Saigo Takamori, and was crushed within a few months. 

In the last battle near Shiroyama Castle, the balance of forces was 60:1 in favor of government troops. Saigo Takamori was seriously wounded during the battle. According to some sources, he died after being wounded, according to others, he committed suicide.