Samurai
The word samurai comes from the
Japanese root meaning to be on one's guard, or to guard (saburau). Emerging in the early
tenth century AD, the samurai became known as the warrior class of Japan, following a
special code known as the bushido, or the way of the warrior. They intermarried in their
own caste, and received certain privileges, honors, and responsibilities (such as
giri, a
samurai's responsibility toward his master) with birth.
It was considered a great honor to
be part of the samurai class, which was viewed as a caste of the lower nobility. The
privilege was passed down from father to sons. All of a samurai's sons would receive the
honor of becoming a samurai, but only the legitimate heir would receive his father's
pension. A samurai child was trained in etiquette, and military arts. At age seven, he
would receive a pair of wide trousers, known as hakama. At age fifteen he received his
swords, and was permitted to wear his hair in the style of the samurai. A samurai could be
hired by a man (most likely of nobility) and become his servant for pay, or he could
simply be a ronin, a master-less samurai wandering from job to job.
. . .The samurai began as horseback riding barbarians, and as time evolved they took on an
increasingly important role in Japanese society. At the pinnacle of their evolution, they
were considered a caste of nobility and had a great influence on Japanese history and
culture, particularly through their sense of honor. Seppuku, the ultimate expression of
honor and integrity, was carried even into modern times, as with World War II pilots known
as kamikazes. The title "suicide bombers" does injustice to the kamikaze
mission, which was quite boldly an act of seppuku; a glorious act of self destruction to
demonstrate one's strong beliefs and honor. The vision of an armor suited man carrying two
razor sharp swords conveys the idea of a military warrior. The samurai became much more
than this, however; samurai became a way of life and of death.
From Samurai
Songs referenced:
Samurai