Difference between revisions of "Samurai"
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| − | [[Image:samurai.jpg|thumb|500px|An artist's portrayal of a Samurai]]The samurai were the military nobility of Japan. They were equivalent to the [[vassals]] of European [[Feudalism]]. | + | [[Image:samurai.jpg|thumb|500px|An artist's portrayal of a Samurai]]The '''samurai''' were the military nobility of [[Japan]]. They were equivalent to the [[vassals]] of European [[Feudalism]]. |
| − | + | Samurai were soldiers no different from those in [[Europe]], prior to the [[Tokugawa]] dynasty (16th Century). After the unification of Japan, they became a class of warrior-scholars, who were second in social standing only to the Emperor and [[daimyo|daimyos]]. They adopted a warrior code known as the [[Bushido Code]], which emphasized loyalty, devotion, and honor to the death. If the samurai failed in any of these, he could redeem himself through [[seppuku]], or ritual suicide.[http://www.bigbearacademy.com/bushido-code.html]. This became an inspiration to Japan's [[kamikaze]] pilots in [[World War 2]].[http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/Japan/save/jonas/jonas.htm] | |
[[Category:Military]] | [[Category:Military]] | ||
[[Category:Japan]] | [[Category:Japan]] | ||
Revision as of 18:29, May 10, 2007
The samurai were the military nobility of Japan. They were equivalent to the vassals of European Feudalism.
Samurai were soldiers no different from those in Europe, prior to the Tokugawa dynasty (16th Century). After the unification of Japan, they became a class of warrior-scholars, who were second in social standing only to the Emperor and daimyos. They adopted a warrior code known as the Bushido Code, which emphasized loyalty, devotion, and honor to the death. If the samurai failed in any of these, he could redeem himself through seppuku, or ritual suicide.[1]. This became an inspiration to Japan's kamikaze pilots in World War 2.[2]