History of the Samurai

A Samurai is a term that was reserved for military nobility in ancient Japan. It was believed that the warriors and foot soldiers in the sixth century may have been a proto samurai. At the time when Japan was in conflict with Tang China and Silla, Japan sunk into country wide reforms. One of the most important reforms was the Taika Reform that was given by the Prince Naka no Oe in 646 AD. This reform introduced the Chinese practices and their administrative techniques throughout the Japanese rich and the business people alike.

The population held the majority of men and so it was ordered that one out of 4 males were drafted into the military. The recruits had to being their own weapons and they were exempted from taxes and duties. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Emperor Kammu was trying to bring together and the people and expand this reign over the northern Honshu. But the military he sent over were not able to get the job done. So the Emperor introduced what was called Shogun warriors, these warriors were skilled in archery, and in mounted combat. Though these warriors were from educated backgrounds they were thought of as barbarians because of the way they fought.

When the Emperors reign came to an end, his army disbanded and the power of the Emperor slowly began to fade. The Emperor still ruled but the more powerful groups like the Kyoto’s were taking on positions of the ministers and they were able to buy their way into magistrate’s positions, the Kyoto was a very wealthy group. Soon after the Kyoto was slowly starting to take over, the Samurai was introduced. These warriors were expected to be educated and cultured but they must be skilled as a warrior should be. They learned the art of martial arts and they learned how to fight with swords and they in turn were just all around warriors who were thought to be strong and people began to respect and fear them.