Samurai and the Shogunate

• By the 12th century, Japan's leadership shifted to military power, leading to a new military-based political order.
• This system was led by a military governor, a shogun, who wielded total authority over the country, similar to a dictatorship.
• Shoguns represented military control over Japan and were supported by the samurai.
• Although technically appointed by the emperor, a shogun's power surpassed the emperor's.
• Shogunate refers to both the era of rule by shogun leaders and their system of government.
• In 1185, Minamoto no Yoritomo, a Japanese warrior, created the first shogunate and granted nobility to the samurai.

Samurai Definition

• Samurai emerged in the 12th century as highly-skilled Japanese warriors providing military services.
• They belonged to the military caste within the Japanese feudal system.
• Initially referring to noble warriors, the term "samurai" or "bushi" gained prestige with increasing political influence.
• The term later extended to anyone in the warrior class, signifying an elite warrior.

Samurai History

• During the Heian Period (794-1184), nobles hired private armies, leading to the evolution of samurai into warlords with political power.
• The Fujiwara clan dominated early samurai history.
• While the Japanese court and emperor were respected, true power rested with the Fujiwara clan.
• The title of shogun was awarded to successful generals during the early Heian period.
• By the end of the Heian period, the Minamoto clan seized power, shifting power from the courts and emperors to the warrior class led by Minamoto no Yoritomo.
• Minamoto no Yoritomo became the first shogun of true power, controlling Japan and instituting the shogunate government or bakufu.
• Bakufu, meaning 'tent government,' originally referred to the commander in the field regarding the feudal system.

Kamakura Period

• The Kamakura Period (1192-1333) began with Minamoto no Yoritomo as the first shogun.
• Under Yoritomo's rule, the position of shogun became permanent with greater government power.
• The samurai developed into nobles with a code of honor and studied poetry and art.
• The shogun controlled the military and the state, while the emperor became a figurehead.
• Yoritomo maintained power until his death in 1199.

Later Years

• The Kamakura Shogunate weakened due to invasions in the late 13th century and was overtaken by Ashikaga Takauji.
• Feuding continued for centuries as clans vied for power.
• In 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu reunified Japan, leading to peace.
• Samurai were no longer needed and transitioned to trades or bureaucratic positions.
• Military reforms and peaceful times decreased the need for samurai, leading to their official dissolution in 1871.

Famous samurai

• Miyamoto Musashi (1584-), a renowned samurai, began sword training at 13 and won over 60 duels in his lifetime.
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi (c. 1536), a powerful leader, unified the Japanese government, solidified the caste system, and developed resources and coinage.

Samurai Training

• Samurai training varied.
• Lower-class families relied on family members for training, while wealthy families sent children to private academies.
• Martial arts training started by age 5, including pole arms.
• Extensive sword training focused on the katana and wazikashi.
• Early samurai were horse-riding archers.
• Academics included history, poetry, politics, and literature.

Bushido Code

• Loyalty and honor drove samurai to develop the bushido code, a code of honor and the foundation of samurai culture.
• "Bushi" means warrior, and "do" means the way, translating to "the way of the warrior."
• In the 12th-century Kamakura period, bushido emphasized Zen Buddhist beliefs, fearlessness, and athletic and military skills.
• Honesty and honor were key.
• By the mid-19th century, bushido meant that all of Japanese society was to follow ethical standards.

Explore the rise of military power in 12th-century Japan, focusing on the role of shoguns and samurai. Learn about the shogunate system, its leaders, and the influence of the samurai as skilled warriors in the Japanese feudal system.