What country do samurai come from?

The samurai, members of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan, began as provincial warriors before rising to power in the 12th century with the beginning of the country's first military dictatorship, known as the shogunate.

Do any samurai exist today?

The samurai warriors do not exist today. However, the cultural legacy of the samurai exists today. The descendants of the samurai families also exist today. It is illegal to carry swords and arms in Japan.

Who were the first samurai?

Samurai or bushi were Japanese warriors from the ruling military class. They became the highest rank in Japanese society during the Edo Period.

Are ninjas Chinese or Japanese?

A ninja (忍者, Japanese pronunciation: [ɲiꜜɲdʑa]) or shinobi (忍び, [ɕinobi]) was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of a ninja included reconnaissance, espionage, infiltration, deception, ambush, bodyguarding and their fighting skills in martial arts, including ninjutsu.

Was there a real black samurai?

But Yasuke was a real-life Black samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga, one of the most important feudal lords in Japanese history and a unifier of the country. He is also the inspiration for Netflix's new anime series. This is not the first time that Yasuke has appeared in popular culture.

History of the Samurai: Outsiders to Legends

Can females be samurai?

Linguistic purists point out that the term "samurai" is a masculine word; thus, there is no "female samurai." Nonetheless, for thousands of years, certain upper-class Japanese women have learned martial skills and participated in battles right alongside the male samurai.

Who is the last true samurai?

Saigo Takamori of Japan is known as the Last Samurai, who lived from 1828 to 1877 and is remembered to this day as the epitome of bushido, the samurai code. Although much of his history has been lost, recent scholars have discovered clues to the true nature of this illustrious warrior and diplomat.

Can I become a samurai?

Being like a samurai in the modern age isn't easy, but with discipline and a strong sense of duty, you can start living according to Samurai virtues and developing your talents to use them for good.

What is samurai code?

The Samurai Code

Bushido was the code of conduct for Japan's warrior classes from perhaps as early as the eighth century through modern times. The word "bushido" comes from the Japanese roots "bushi" meaning "warrior," and "do" meaning "path" or "way." It translates literally to "way of the warrior."

How did samurai train their mind?

Samurais trained relentlessly. They strongly believed you should always “be prepared” (they were like the deadliest Boy Scouts imaginable.) Research shows that preparation reduces fear because when things get tense, you don't have to think.

Why did the samurai end?

The role of the samurai in peacetime declined gradually over this period, but two factors led to the end of samurai: the urbanization of Japan, and the end of isolationism. As more and more Japanese moved to the cities, there were fewer farmers producing the rice needed to feed the growing population.

Do ninjas still exist?

Tools of a dying art. Japan's era of shoguns and samurai is long over, but the country does have one, or maybe two, surviving ninjas. Experts in the dark arts of espionage and silent assassination, ninjas passed skills from father to son - but today's say they will be the last.

Was there ever a white samurai?

Anjin Miura or William Anjin was the first and possibly only white man to ever be knighted a Samurai.

Are ninjas samurai?

One of the major differences between the samurai and the ninja is who they exactly are. Samurais were warriors that belonged to the noble classes of ancient Japanese society. On the other hand, ninjas were often mercenaries, and as such they would often belong to the lower classes of ancient Japanese society.

Who was the greatest samurai ever?

1. Oda Nobunaga (織田 信長) While Miyamoto Musashi may be the best-known "samurai" internationally, Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) claims the most respect within Japan.

Can a samurai get married?

Most samurai married women from a samurai family, but lower-ranked samurai were permitted to marry commoners. In these marriages a dowry was brought by the woman and was used to start the couple's new life together. A samurai could have a mistress, but her background was strictly reviewed by higher-ranked samurai.

Who created the katana?

According to legend, the Japanese sword was invented by a smith named Amakuni in 700 AD, along with the folded steel process. In reality the folded steel process and single edge swords had been brought over from China through trade.

Are samurai only Japanese?

NOPE! While the image of the Samurai we have nowadays is almost exclusively of Japanese people, the title of Samurai was also given to non-Japanese on several occasions.

Did samurai go to Mexico?

In 1614, an embassy bound for Spain and Rome sent by Date Masamune reached Mexico. Perhaps about half of its 180 Japanese crew (including 60 samurai) stayed behind for good. It's recorded that a certain Diego de la Barranca was one of them.

What is the Chinese version of a samurai?

8 Answers. In China, there were warriors similar to ronin – the xia. As a link, I found only those regarding their philosophy or literature about them. Korean Hwarang are approximation of Samurai from the other side – they were upper class young men probably serving as warriors, but it's not their defining feature.

Are ninjas stronger than samurai?

The samurai were considerably more powerful in terms of physical fighting and political influence, as that is their whole career. Ninjas are more suited for espionage and are usually common-folk.

Can I become a ninja?

Ninjas should be able to obtain information quickly, analyse it and turn it into knowledge – in short, a ninja should be an information specialist. Ninjas need strong bodies and strong souls. They must be able to run at least marathon distance and should master some martial arts.

Who is the last ninja on earth?

Jinichi Kawakami, a 63-year old engineer, is Japan's last ninja grandmaster according to the Igaryu ninja museum. He is the head of the Ban clan, a family that traces its ninja roots back 500 years.

What are the 3 samurai swords called?

These were the battle katana, the 'big sword,' and the wakizashi, the 'little sword.

Did samurai use guns?

During it, guns were still manufactured and used by the samurai, but primarily for hunting. It was also a time when the samurai focused more on traditional Japanese arts, with more attention being given to katanas than muskets.