2. Who are the Samurai?
Members of the military class
Used a range of weapons such as bows and
arrows and spears; but were known greatly for
their swords.
Followed the Bushido (“the way of the warrior”)
3. The Bushido
Strongly similar to Confucian nature
Stressed concepts such as loyalty to ones
master, self discipline and respectful, ethical
behavior.
Would commit seppuku to prevent being
captured or dying a dishonorable death.
Seppuku is to commit suicide by cutting the
abdomen.
4. Heian Period
794 - 1185
-Samurai’s importance and
influence grew
-Hired as private warriors
-Two military clans were formed at
the end of this period, the
Minamoto and the Taira, which
seized control over the country
5. Kamakura Period
1192 - 1333
-During this period Minamoto
defeated Taira
-A new government was
established in Kamakura in 1192
-Minamoto was granted shogun,
which is the highest military
officer, making him ruler of Japan
6. Muromachi Period
1333 - 1573
-During this period Era of Warring
States took place
-This consisted of dozens of
independent states constantly
fighting one another
-During this time Samurai demand
was very high
-Most samurai worked on farms in
between wartime
7. Azuchi-
Momoyama Period
1573 - 1603
-During this period Japan was
reunited and a caste system was
formed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
-This forced all samurai to decide
between a farm life or warrior life
-For samurai who chose the
warrior life, were forced to live in
castle towns
-It was forbidden for anyone but
the samurai to arm themselves
with swords
8. Edo Period
1603 - 1868
-The samurai stood at the top of the
caste system
-All samurai had to live in castle
towns
-Rogue samurai were called ronin
and caused many troubles early in
this period
-Tokugawa to the right, eliminated
his last rival creating peace for 250
years
-Because of this martial skills
declined and the samurai class was
abolished
