0
The Samurai class developed through various stages beginning with the reformation period of the mid 7th century AD, up to their end in 1877. The term "Samurai" means "to serve nobility." Initially, the wealthy land owners of the 7th century needed protection, so they paid skilled warriors (sometimes their own relatives or just hired swordsmen) to defend their land and wealth. This lowly warrior class lived by a motto to serve their lords, and fight to the death. By the 900's, the ruling class and Emperor of Japan had lost much power in rural areas, and the Samurai took over to become a more powerful and prominent warrior class. By 1100, the Samurai also held some political offices and virtually ran the country by military rule.
As clans of royal families fought for power, their own warrior class was most likely made up of family members trained to be Samurai. In the later part of the 12th century AD, the ruling class instituted the title of "Shogunate," where the "Shogun" (Military Generals) held ever changing power as a military dictators. The Shogun often fought to put down rebellion of other Samurai clans and tribes vying for power over Japan. Over the next several centuries, various clans gained and lost control of the country with their own Shogun and Samurai being in charge until the decline of the Samurai and Shogunate during the Meiji Restoration of the mid 19th century.
Most of the Samurai were likely groomed from the children born in each clan's village, and trained in horseback riding, Archery, and swordsmanship to become warriors, and Samurai serving their lords. The Samurai of the Emperor where likely relatives of the ruling family.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
In the edo period did the samurai become more rich or poor?
In the Edo period or the Tokugawa Period, the samurai apparently became poorer. This is due to the cash economy being used by the Merchant class. As the normal mode of payment became cash, rice, which samurai have plenty of became worthless.
How did the position of samurai women change from the 12th to the 17th century?
Samurai women became completely under the control of men.
Who became the master of central Japan?
The Samurai became the masters of central Japan in early Japan.
How did the position of samurai women change from the 12th to the 17th cenrty?
Samurai women became completely under the control of men.
How did the Samurai change over time?
they started to wear different clothes also, they became calmer
How did the samurai styles change over time?
They started to wear different clothes and also they became calmer.
What weapon is synonymous with samurai warriors?
Katana swordsThe samurai used a variety of weapons and armors depending on the time period. The katana style of sword became popular in the later part of Japanese history, and they are usually associated with it.(The katana is popularly called a samurai sword.)
Why did takamori saigo became the last great samurai?
becouse he found the big golden scroll with his own teeth
Would a merchant be able to sell raw silk to a samurai in the year 1636?
The samurai of the 17th century were not exactly the samurai we all think of when we look at movies like The Last Samurai or any of those classic films which Quentin Tarantino is such a fan. In fact the early 17th century began a class of Samurai which we call the Edo or Tokugawa period of the Samurai's history in which they moved from being the famed warriors of Japan and became more of a political/bureaucratic nobility. It was not uncommon at all for the Samurai of this period to purchase and wear fine silks and clothes of the highest quality.
Why do samurai become samurai?
Samurai is a class like caste and it's hereditary. Therefore, the sons of farmers were destined to be farmers and samurai's son were samurai. However, there were rare cases for some to be in samurai class. One is to show great talents in swordsmanship and others include becoming great scholars. It's very rare, though. Inside the samurai class, there was also hierarchy, and it does not always mean upgrading the status if one becomes samurai from the other classes as many samurais were poor. It was more like hereditary occupations. It was hereditary, but sometimes someone who was in favour with the higher authority could become a Samurai such as the English sailor Williams Adams who sailed to Japan but later became a Samurai actually being a samurai took many talents including heredity but that doesn't mean your destined to become a farmer. you see Japanese society was broken down in classes. durning the time off the samurai the shogun was like the "lord" or king. after him was the damiyo or someone who does the kings work(sometimes!) and the samurai. if you worked up in ranks you could have a chance to be a samurai. to be a samurai took many years of dedication and training. if caught in a dirty deed a samurai would commit ritual suicide to peserve his personal honor. At mid 1500 the separation law came. Before it anyone who could afford training could become a samurai, after that you had to be the son of a samurai.
How strong is samurai armor?
Before firearms became common in combat (in the 1500s), samurai armor was made primarily of lacquered leather. Later armor was made of iron plates; this tameshi gusoku was, given the weaponry at the time, bulletproof.
What term was given to the warriors or knights of feudal Japan?
Samurai
