The Bushido Code Of The Samurai
Ancient Japanese Culture

Unlock the secrets of the Bushido Code of the Samurai.

The coolest stories on Ancient Japanese Culture and the wisdom of the Japanese warriors.

Don't forget to look at the History of the Samurai Gallery.

The Japanese warriors were the only ones who could carry Japanese Samurai swords.

Being a Japanese warrior meant that you were the owner of your land which was given to you by your daimyo.

The Japanese warrior lived by Bushido. It was the Samurai lifestyle.
The Samurai Bushido code was extreme...

The Secrets Of The Bushido Code Of The Samurai

The 'contract' was signed with the warrior's blood and the document was burned, then the ashes were mixed into water and drank.

The Samurai Bushido code was about following any order given by the Daimyo immediately, and without asking any questions.

This ceremony went on for generations, with the entire history of the Japanese warriors being loyal to the bloodline of the daimyo.

During fighting, the Japanese warrior would help his daimyo escape if needed by taking the daimyo's weapon and riding in a different direction in order to distract the enemy.

The devotion between Japanese warriors and daimyo was so great that Ancient Samurai warriors committed suicide when their daimyo were killed.
This kind of loyalty continued as late as the Meiji Restoration when Maresuke (a high ranking warrior) committed suicide after the death of Emperor Meiji to follow him into death.

For the Japanese Samurai warrior Surrender was not an option. Fighting to death or suicide were the only options. To die in a battle was considered honorable.

The most famous of the Rituals in ancient Japan - Samurai ritualistic suicide, Seppuku, was done in a situation of losing the battle.

The Japanese warrior would stick his antique Samurai sword in his stomach. This is probably the most famous aspect of the samurai culture.

Why Is The Samurai Bushido Code So Romanticed?

The source of this image is popular Media - Samurai movies like 'The Last Samurai' movie.
The Myth of the warrior's lifestyle is not so accurate.

Being a Japanese warrior came with status and social respect, but the warriors, no matter what their status, were servants of their daimyo.

Presenting exaggerated images of what these warriors were, provides a way for the Japanese to be proud of their origin. It also gives Japan international identity in the world.
The bushido code of the samurai is very popular, catching not only in Japan, but worldwide.

Perhaps the most exaggerated element in popular culture is their strict code of morals - the Bushido Code of the Samurai.

One of the unknown facts about Japan is that Bushido was less a code of honor, and more a strategic manipulation by the Tokugawa Shoguns, to keep the warriors and local daimyo loyal to the shogun. You can read more on the History of the Samurai right below.

History Of The Samurai

During the feudal time in the History of Japan, the Kamakura Shoguns ruled.

This marked the beginning of 700 years of Japanese history dominated by ancient samurai warriors.
In Ancient Japan the warriors class consisted of about 10 percent of the population..

The height of art at that time of Japan history was the creation of Ancient Japanese Samurai swords.

The Japanese swords were the warrior's weapon and pride. Many heads were cut off with it.

In 1853, Commodore Perry of the U.S. Navy forced the shogun to enter into a trade agreement with the U.S. and cancel the period of isolation in the history in Japan.

This sudden encounter with the West contributed to the downfall of the ancient Samurai warriors.
The feudal system was eliminated and by initiating a compulsory military service the warriors were left without a position.

Return from Bushido code of the Samurai to History of the Samurai gallery for lots more exciting stories about Samurai culture.
Ancient Japanese culture comes to life in the pages about Samurai Weapons and swords, Clothing and Armor.

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