© karen devine 2013. it was during the kamakura period that the warrior class began to rule in...
TRANSCRIPT
SAMURAI
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
It was during the Kamakura period that the warrior class began to rule in Japan.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
The Shogun was the ruler and he enforced law through the power of The Samurai.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
About 10% of the population at this time were from the warrior class.
Yet, most of the population were farmers.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
Samurai would serve the Shogun in return for land or other rewards.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
Yet, some Samurai were masterless and were known as “Ronin”.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
A masterless Samurai was generally considered to be a shameful eventuality, yet some of them focussed on their swordsmanship rather than on service within a feudal hierarchy.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
The Ronin were an anathema in a feudal system as they were largely uncontrollable as they owed no duty to a master.
They were said to be chief adversaries of the status quo.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
The Samurai were expected to:
a)Show a good exampleb)Live by Buddhist teachingsc)Follow Confucian ways of lifed)Protect the feudal lord from enemiese)Live by Bushidof)Serve their mastersg)Commit seppuku on their master’s death.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
Samurai’s only fought equals or those of equal military rank or worthiness.
Often they called out their names before battle.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
The Samurai were especially key during the invasions from the Mongols in the 13th century, although they were assisted by the Kamikaze or “divine winds” in forcing the Mongol retreat.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
Samurai were rewarded for their military efforts and some became very wealthy and powerful.
One of the traditions of warrior life included seppuku or ritual suicide.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
It was also known as “hari kari” or cutting the stomach.
The stomach was thought to be the place the spirit resided.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
Seppuku was a form of ritual purification and a way to save one’s honour or accept responsibility for a major error.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
Upon a Samurai’s death, the women of his household were also expected to commit “Ojigi” a form of seppuku where a knife was thrust through the throat.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
As the Tokugawa period progressed the Samurai’s role changed from pure warrior to governmental administrator and hence they developed a power that made them indispensible.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
However, they still retained a power to assassinate any commoner who showed them disrespect.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
It was finally in Emperor Meiji’s Restoration period when the right to be an exclusive armed force was removed.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
They were replaced by a western-style army of conscripted members in 1873.
© Karen Devine 2013
SAMURAI
The Samurai could no longer wear katana publically and lost the right to execute commoners who showed them disrespect.
© Karen Devine 2013
PAUSE POINT
© Karen Devine 2013
• Watch this film on The Samurai.
© Karen Devine 2013
QUESTION TIME
• Are there modern day Samurai?