Just recently discovered is a Samurai text scroll known as the “Sword Scroll“. It goes on to show some of the most well-trained fighting techniques, with elaborate methods and amazing combinations. The text was written, is to be claimed, around 500 years ago. Its history begins with 2 Samurai that […]
Many Samurai performed a sacrifice of their life. Thanks to their ingrained loyalty to their Lord’s well-being, such that if anything should happen to him, the Samurai would be obliged to perform an honorable death. It had to be the best of quality of death too. Nothing half-hearted, or without […]
The new Netflix Anime series features the life and times of Yasuke. A famous traveling bodyguard, who became a Samurai for one of the most powerful Feudal Lords at the time. It is a fascinating story, although doesn’t last very long, as there is nothing on record about him after […]
A mysterious visitor arrived in Japan in 1579. What made him mysterious was that he was from Africa, and he was called Yasuke. Very much of his story still remains a mystery to this day, and there are only verifiable records up to the date of 1582. What made Yasuke […]
Samurai Armor is a piece of steel armor that covers the samurai’s body. The samurai armor has changed over the centuries in response to different weapon types being introduced to Japan. Ancient armors were relatively light and often constructed in a way that made it easy for the wearer to […]
The Ruling Class of Merchants & Professional Classes In feudal Japan, there were three major ruling classes: the samurai ruling class, the merchant class, and the peasant class. Members of the samurai ruling class were nobles or warriors that served in a military capacity. They would have been greatly looked […]
Shimazu Yoshihisa’s childhood and rise to power Yoshihisa was born in 1538, the son of Shogun Ieyasu. The young Yoshihisa was placed in the care of the abbot of Kennin-ji Temple, who educated him until he was eleven years old. At sixteen years old Yoshihisa became a Buddhist monk and […]
Who is Honda Tadakatsu? He is one of the most famous and popular samurai in the Sengoku Jidai period. Honda was born in 1548 and became a samurai based on his father’s wishes. His father’s wish for Tadakatsu to be a successful samurai was fulfilled as he served under two […]
Hattori Hanzo is regarded as the most famous Japanese Samurai ever. He survived numerous battles and was one of the few Samurai to excel in both military and literary arts. Hattori Hanzo was born into a low-rank Samurai family in 1541. At the age of 18, he became part of […]
Samurai warriors in Japan in the 16th century were among the most elite in the world. They were preeminent warriors, expert swordsmen, and dedicated followers of honor and loyalty. The life of a samurai was not easy, but it was certainly interesting. This article will explore what they wore, what […]