By Brandon Goetz & Spencer Johnston

Table of Contents
~About the Samurai
~Seppuku
~Bushido
~Samurais Sword
~Samurais Armor
~History
~Famous Samurai
Samurai
The Samurai were tough fighting men skilled with many Martial Arts.
Samurai had extensive skills in the use of the bow and arrow and katana mastery.
They were just as Powerful with their bare hands. They were great horsemen. These
warriors were men who lived by Bushido, it was their way of life. the samurai's
loyalty to the emperor and his overlord/daimyo were unsurpassed. They were
trustworthy and honest. They lived a frugal live with no interest in being rich, but
rather in honor and pride. They were men of true valor.
The End
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Samurai had no fear of
death. they would enter any
battle no matter what the odds
are. To die in battle would bring
honor to him, his family, and his
Lord. Samurai usually prefer to
fight alone, one on one. In battle,
a samurai would call out his
family name. rank, and his
accomplishments. then he would
find an opponent with a close
rank and fair battle. Once the
samurai has defeated his
opponent he severs off his head.
After the battle, he takes the
heads of his enemies back to
show proof of his Victory. The
only way out for a defeated
samurai was death or the ritual
suicide, know as seppuku.
Seppuku
Seppuku or disembowelment, also known as hara-kiri,
belly slicing is when a samurai pierces a knife into his
abdomen and literally disembowels himself by cutting out his
guts. After the samurai has done this another samurai, usually
a kinsman, or a friend, slices off his head. This form of suicide
was performed under various circumstances: to avoid capture
in battle, which the samurai did not believe to be dishonorable
and degrading, A samurai would rather kill himself than bring
shame and disgrace to his family name and his lord. This was
considered an act of true honor.


Bushido
Bushido, the way of the samurai, grew out of the fusion of
Buddhism and Shintoism. This way can be summarized in
seven essential principles:

1. Gi: the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right
attitude, the truth. When we must die, we must die. Rectitude.
2. Yu: bravery tinged with heroism.
3. Jin: universal love, benevolence toward mankind;
compassion.
4. Rei: right action--a most essential quality, courtesy.
5. Makoto: utter sincerity; truthfulness.
6. Melyo: honor and glory.
7. Chugo: devotion, loyalty.


Bushido has influenced Buddhism, and Buddhism
has influenced Bushido; the elements of Buddhism
found in Bushido are five:

~Pacification of the emotions;
~Tranquil compliance with the inevitable;
~Self-control in the face of any event;
~A more intimate exploration of death than of life;
~Pure poverty.

Samurai Weapons
The Japanese Samurai were the master swordsmen of all
time. They made the katana infamous as a lightening fast
weapon that could cut through anything. In only Seconds, they
could draw the katana, effortlessly wave it about their body in
a butterfly motion with such great speed that you could barely
comprehend where the hands had been. In the early 2nd
century, Japanese swordsmiths started inserting softer cores
into blades which significantly heightened sword flexibility.
These new baldes could withstand the impact of heavy blows
on armor without breaking. As warfare changed in Japan, the
mounted warrior's Tachi sword was redesigned for foot
soldiers. and the katana was born. They used the Yumi as their
long bow.
The Japanese Samurai were the master swordsmen of all time.
They made the katana infamous as a lightening fast weapon that
could cut through anything. In only Seconds, they could draw the
katana, effortlessly wave it about their body in a butterfly motion
with such great speed that you could barely comprehend where the
hands had been. In the early 2nd century, Japanese swordsmiths
started inserting softer cores into blades which significantly
heightened sword flexibility. These new baldes could withstand the
impact of heavy blows on armor without breaking. As warfare
changed in Japan, the mounted warrior's Tachi sword was
redesigned for foot soldiers. and the katana was born. They used the
Yumi as their long bow.
Samurais Armor
The samurai's armor was mainly for speed but had a bit of
strength behind it. It was light and easy to move around in.
1. The silk robe was put on first.
2. The lower body was then put on after the silk robe.
3. They would then put on their shoes and tie his leg armor onto
it.
4. The arm plates were worn.
5. The body armor was then placed over top of the silk robe.
6. The armored Skirt was applied.
7. The shoulder pads were placed onto the shoulders.
8. Then finally the helmet was placed on and ready to go.
History
The Samurai rose to prominence in the Heian Period of Japanese history, which was
between the periods of AD 794 to AD 1185. The powerful Daimyo began to hire these
Samurai warriors to protect their properties.As the Japanese feudal lords grew in power, they
continued to fight within themselves for more land and more power. This increased the
importance of these Samurai Warriors. In 1192, a new military government was established
by Minamoto Yoritomo, who was the Shogun (the richest and most powerful Daimyo in
the land) and the highest military officer. He also became the ruler of Japan. In the time
between these wars, the Samurai spent time working on farms. The Samurai Philosophy is
very well developed and places a high regard for Learning. They studied several topics such
as strategy, planning, war craft and art. Many Samurai warriors were also masters of
calligraphy and poetry. Between 1573 and 1603, Toyotomi Hideyoshi united all of Japan
under one banner and introduced the caste system. He forced the Samurai to choose between
a farmers life and a warriors life. He also made it forbidden for anyone else apart from the
Samurai to wear arms. In this caste system, the Samurai were at the top and were followed
by farmers, artisans and merchants. Each caste also had its internal hierarchy. It was during
the time period between 1603 and 1868 that all these changes were implemented, and
became well ingrained into the culture of Japan. During this time, the Samurai were forced to
live in castle towns and their income was provided by their Daimyos in the form of rice. For
about 250 years from 1615, there was a relative amount of peace in Japan. Most Samurai
warriors became bureaucrats, artists or teachers, while the importance of martial skills was
reduced. In 1868, with the end of Japan's feudal era, the samurai class was abolished.
Famous Samurai
Akamatsu Mitsusuke: Ashikaga period Shugo and the assassin of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori
(D. 1441)
Anayama Beisetsu: One of Takeda Shingen's 'Twenty Four Generals' (1532? - 1582)
Ashikaga Takauji: Founder of the Ashikaga Shgunate (1305 - 1358)
Baba Nobufusa: Mino no Kami; one of 'Shingen's Twenty-four Generals' (1514 - 1575)
Hattori Hanzo: Tokugawa retainer and reputed 'ninja' leader (1541 - 1596)
Hj Soun (Ise Shinkuro): First HJ Daimy (1432 - 1519)
Imagawa Yoshimoto: Daimy of Suruga and Ttmi (1519 - 1560)
Minamoto Yoshiie: Legendary warrior and hero of the 'later three-year war' (1041-1108)
Minamoto Yoshitsune: Legendary Minamoto general (1159 - 1189)
Miyamoto Musashi: Noted swordsman, author of Gorin no sh (1584? - 1645)
Mri Motonari: Daimy of Aki (1497 - 1571)
Oda Nobunaga: Daimyo of Owari and the first of the "Three Unifiers" (1534 - 1582)
Shimazu Yoshihisa: Daimy of Satsuma and sumi (1533 - 1611)
Takeda Shingen: Daimyo of Kai (1521 - 1573)
Tokugawa Ieyasu:1st Tokugawa shgun (1543-1616)
Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Unifier of Japan, Kampaku (1536 - 1598)
Uesugi Kenshin (Nagao Kagetora): Daimyo of Echigo (1530 - 1578)