Samurai class

The Samurai is a class of professional warriors which existed from the 9th century until the end of the 19th century. The word samurai is translated is "military vassal", a service person of not a very high rank. In Japan the term busi is preferred which means "warrior", "nobleman", "educated man". For more than eight centuries representatives of the Samurai elite actually ruled the country having pushed the Emperors aside from political power. The Samurais relied on the principles of bushido - "Way of the Warrior", the code of Samurai honor, of absolute devotion to one's master and on a warrior's duty. This code required from a Samurai professional mastering of martial arts. The most important among them were fencing with swords and spears, archery and gunnery, horse-riding, the art of reconnaissance and secret operations (nindzyutsu), close fight and swimming (including swimming in full armor).

The Samurai class is famous not only for its warriors and talented military commanders, but also for its wise politicians, outstanding scholars and thinkers, refined poets and artists. Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony, the No theater, ikebana, ink painting and other elements of the Japanese culture are aspects of the ancient Samurai tradition. Samurais were glorified in the works of Japanese medieval literature and have become one of the most popular themes of the traditional painting, engraving, theater and Japanese cinema.

The bushido principles formed among the military class outlasted it and influenced the formation of the Japanese national behavioral stereotypes (corporate spirit, hierarchy, responsibility and sense of duty) still actual today. Samurai martial arts are now practiced by millions of followers throughout the world.

Portrait of samurai. Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent.		Man in ancient samurai costume. Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent.		Ogato Djeudjiro in samurai costume. Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent.
Portrait of officer. Japan. The Japanese, mid-to-late 19th c.		Military commander Takeda Shingen and his vassals. Japan. Japanese, 19th cent.		Samurai and his servant in private. Japan. The Japanese, mid-to-late 19th c.
Samurai castle. Japan. The Japanese, mid-to-late 19th c.		A battle of the Gempei wars. "Heike monogatari" illustration. Japan. The Japanese, early 19th century		A woman- warrior Tomoe Gozen. Japan. The Japanese by 1917.
Samurai passes the Udzi river. Japan. The Japanese by 1917.		Samurai Taira Tadamori and a monk. Japan. The Japanese by 1917.		Sakamoto Ryoma. Japan. The Japanese, thу end of 19th c.