Being a Samurai Samurai means “one who serves”. It refers to the members of a Japanese warrior class. They were noblemen assigned to protect the Imperial Court. With a Shogun or a Daimyo employing them, they followed a strict moral code. This code defined their behavior and clothing. However, education set them apart from most […]
Top 10 Samurai Books Although what we receive most on social networks about katanas are queries about our swords, from time to time a very specific request pops up: “Do you have recommendations for samurai books?” It’s always a compliment to be asked this question, so we can have a good time giving recommendations of […]
The Samurai Philosophy & Beliefs The role that samurai philosophy & culture has had in laying the foundation for what is popularly associated with a Japanese style of thinking is undeniable. Despite the disappearance of the samurai as a social class, their heritage permeates all strata of Japanese society. Their legacy influences every house, […]
Samurai Armor Here we are going to talk about the Samurai battle suit or armor. What was it like? Is it heavy? Why do some helmets have horns? Or did it mean something else? When we think about Samurai history, the Katana sword always comes to mind. Before you’ve seen a movie or two, could […]
The God the Samurai Worshipped Also known as Yahata no kami, the name Hachiman can be traced back to a prehistoric place in Kyushu. It means “God of Eight Banners”. These heavenly banners signaled the birth of the 15th emperor of Japan, Emperor Ōjin. Moreover, Hachiman is the syncretic divinity of war and archery. For […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
The Battle of Tenno-ji The Battle of Tenno-ji is the final phase in the Osaka siege. It is under the power of Ieyasu Tokugawa against the last descendants of the Toyotomi clan. The latter was a strong opposition party. They were the only clan that prevented full control of the newly established Shogunate throughout Japan. The siege […]
First Samurai Warriors The first Samurai warriors began to rise at 646 A.D. after the Taika reform, which included land reallocation. In this period, authorities implementing expensive taxes and obliging small farmers to sell their own land are usual. As a result, farmers have to work as tenants in their land. Over time, the large […]
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