Culture of the Samurai We know the Samurai as dedicated warriors. As such, their entire lives revolved around the study of and training for military service. It is easy to imagine them practicing swordsmanship and archery most of the time. Then, of course, as their primary duty, they would go to war as well. Outside […]
The Tachi Sword Tachi emerged even before the Katana did. More importantly, it provided the basis for the invention and development of the Katana. Therefore, without this sword, there would not have been Katana. Suppose one asks, “What is the best Japanese sword?” Without much thinking, one can mention Katana right away. It is the […]
Tales of Samurai Read some of the most amazing tales of Samurai throughout history. Japanese warriors called the Samurai, were prominent figures during Japan’s warring period. This lasted from the years 794 to 1185, where the first Samurai appeared in the Heian era. Their prominence continued throughout the Kamakura, Muromachi, and Tokugawa periods. Despite this, […]
The 47 Ronin You probably heard about the story of the 47 Ronin, One of the most beloved and known stories in Japan, Whether you are familiar with the details or not, the story of the 47 Ronin is filled with honor, duty and fulfillment… The sun was just beginning to rise. The streets were […]
The Iga Revolt The Iga revolt was a massive and interesting conflict between the Shinobi of Iga and the Oda clan. The Ninja or Shinobi is a popular phenomenon in the military culture of Japan. They have become a familiar and common sight in Japanese culture, and are probably the best symbol of stealth warfare, […]
Sieges and Betrayals The conflicts between the Taira and Minamoto families are some of the most significant in Japanese history. Not only did they mark a before and an after in a way of doing politics, but the conflicts that derived from them began a crack of loyalties that in time would only grow. While […]
Hand-to-Hand Combat When two or more people duel each other in a short range, They are more likely to fight with weapons like swords or daggers. In the absence of swords, some warriors use other Japanese weapons. Many martial arts and techniques have developed in Japan which teach how handle a battle empty-handed. There are […]
Genpei Wars: The Great Defense The Genpei wars was a national civil war that happened during the end of the Heian period in Feudal Japan. After the events of the Heiji rebellion in 1160 in which two of Japan’s most powerful clans, the Taira and the Minamoto, fought to gain influence over the Imperial Court, […]
The Onin War Who can tell that a dispute between a father and his son-in-law would eventually become a 12-year civil war? This war was known as the Onin War. Ōnin refers to the Japanese era spanning from March 1467 through April 1469. It occurred after Bunsho and before Bunmei. Bunsho marked the history from […]
The Fujiwara Clan The Heian Shi or Heian Period in the history of Japan goes from the years 794 to 1185 CE. It flourished and saw great improvement from literature, arts, and more. When it comes to the administration and government, the Heian Shi was under the rule of the Fujiwara clan. They dominated the […]
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