The Way of the Samurai: Characteristics, Weapons, and Code

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The Way of the Samurai
While India has its own Caste System, and France has its social classifications, Japan has a strong societal structure and ranking as well. The Japanese in the old times, adhere so strictly to the division they fall in to (Overmeire 1126). The Nobles hold the highest rank. They are royalties and families of royals. They hold the highest control over the lands as well. After them come the warriors. In today’s world, soldiers are just soldiers, and anyone else who has more wealth than them are above them. However, in Old Japan, it is not about monetary capacity but about the individual’s profession (Baofu 28). Samurais therefore are ranked higher than businessmen, and farmers. Samurais uphold absolute loyalty to their masters, does not fear death, ignore pain and personal relations in order to dedicate their entirety to those whom they serve. Although they are looked up to, things had gotten to a sharp turn for the Samurais after the revolution. As to how important they were to the society, how their familial roles were, and how they were soon devalued by their own country, it would all be discussed here thoroughly.
How the Samurai came to be?
Originally, the term Samurai did not refer to warriors. It meant the 6th ranked out of the 12 ranks of the Imperial bureaucrats under the Taiho Code. The Taiho Code in 702 A.D. were administrative laws and penal codes modeled after the T’ang Dynasty’s legal codes. The so called Samurais in this era were in charge of everyday matters, and were not military men. Included in this reformation however the endeavor of the government to establish an organized army was. In the succeeding period, Samurais were still not widespread. However, there were the use of skilled armies. The 50th emperor of Japan, Emperor Kanmu desired the expansion of his power and ultimately required the help of regional clans to fight against those who are not under his rule. It was the first time someone used the title and referred to himself as Shogun (Kornicki 142). Although he claimed to be a Shogun, this title did not contain the same capacity as the shoguns of the following years. Raids and battles occurred until his power slowly spiraled down and the army got disbanded. While this chaos occurred, many other powerful clans took advantage by rising up the seats in the government. Large taxes were collected from the commoners living in their villages (Hubbard 55). This created a large gap between normal people and those who had themselves hold power.
With shogunates being official, and wealthy clans existing, warriors of the finest quality were needed. This is the Samurai that the world knows now. These warriors were not only highly skilled combatants, but they were educated as well, held high moral standards, and were not mediocrely compensated. These very characteristics of the Samurais had them hold an elite position in the Japanese society. With them being not only brawns but brains as well, they became their own political force in the Imperial Court. Although they are very loyal to the masters they serve, but they were not ordinary for-hire individuals. They were their own significant and influential part of the society ...