Origins Part 3
(3)
1.
Art and Literature of Samurai
Literature
Asian Art
A collection of statues, pottery, jewelry, clothing, metal artifacts, and textiles. Includes full descriptions of where each item is from, its age, and what it was used for.
Masterworks - Art of Japan
Japanese ceramics, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, lacquer ware, textiles, and archaeology.
Art of Japan
Graphic examples of origami, architecture, gardens, paintings, and sculpture.
Diaries of Court Ladies
A collection of first-hand accounts of noble women living in Ancient Japan. A fascinating view of their culture. Includes illustrations of dress and dwellings.
Japanese Poetry
A small collection of classic Japanese verse.
Haiku
Includes the history of haiku poetry, how to write one, a gallery of haiku, and links to more examples.
Shinto Creation Stories
Ancient Japanese stories on the creation of heaven and earth, the gods, and more.
Japanese Creation Myth
The story of the beginning of the world.
Government and Politics
The Government of Ancient Japan
An introduction to governmental practices including taxes, reform edicts, regulation, corruption, and more.
First Constitution of Japan
This page provides an overview of Japan's first Constitution, including some quotes from the original document.
General History
Ancient Japan
A comprehensive site on all topics of ancient Japan including time periods, culture, maps, a glossary of terms, literature, language, Buddhism, women, and much more.
Early Japan
A short overview of early history with links defining terms and more details about each time period.
Nara and Heian Period (710-1185)
Outlines the decline of Chinese influence, the rising political rulers, the Hejji Rising and more.
Kamakura Period (1185-1333)
Outlines the rise of the Minamoto family, the Zen sect, and invasion.
The Muromachi Period (1333-1573)
Outlines the Imperial Courts, the ruling shoguns, influence of European traders and more.
Tour of Edo
This is a great interactive site where you take a tour of the 18th century city. Encounter shogun warriors, samurai, foot bearers, trade and entertainment, ride the ferry, and view the costumes of the day.
2.
Samurai Links
Samurai History!
Samurai Pictures!
Way of the Samurai
Origins of the Samurai
3.
The Way of Horse and Bow. Excellent site!
The Land of the Rising Sun
The islands of Japan lie hundreds of kilometers off the coast of China. Mountainous, and with only a few small areas of farming land, it was at one time a poor country. The people struggled to servive frequent earthquakes and eruptions of it's volcanoes. Rice and fish being their chief supply of food the japanese were small, because of this limited diet.
Ruled and Governed by a imperial court they worshipped the Gods of nature and called there religion "Shinto" ( the way of the Gods ) it was one of these Gods that the emperor clamed decadence from. Then Buddhism arrived, and eventually the Shinto and Buddhist temples became direct rivals for supramasey in japan, forming bands of "warrior monks" to rage war appon each other courseing genrail discord and chaos in the country, the imperial court was called to take action to counter this consist warfare. It was at this time, in 10th century Japan, that the rise of the Samurai began.
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Who were the Samurai ?
The Samurai were a fearless, brutal and powerful force of fighting warriors, who came to rule Japan for over 600 years, from the middle of the 12th century. they are revered in Japanese history, their code of honor and their swordmanship have become world-famous, and their exploits created many of the greatest stories and legends in japan.
The word Samurai comes from the Japanese verb "to serve". It was first used to describe the personal servants of the rich and powerful landowners of 8th century Japan. Some of these landowners were aristocrats, noblemen who had left the royal court in Kyoto, the capital, to seek there fortunes. Many small farmers depended on the landowners for their living, and loyal bonds developed between master and servant. Gradually a network of clans or "families" grew, each with its landowner and followers. The government of the country was no longer in control, and law and order was kept by the clans. The clans armed themselves to protect their own land and people, and so the warrior class of Samurai grew. This elite fighting class was to later effectively rule and govern the country until the late 19th century.
Eventually due to heavy western interfearions and internal politics the Samurai class was dissolved and the Emperor restored to full power in 1868, ending a legacy that had lasted for over seven hundred years.
However the Samurai legacy still lives on in the minds and sprits of many and it is for that reason that I have decided to make this web site, dedicated to all those who have gone before me who believed in the Samurai way.
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For more information on The Samurai, try these other topics:
More about Who the Samurai were.
The Origins of the Samurai.
Daimyo's the Samurai lords of Japan.
A brief history of the Shogunate.
Bushido the way of the warrior.
Female Samurai.
Seppuku ritual suicide.
Weapons of feudal Japan.
The art of the sword. ( the making and handling of the deadly blades of the Samurai )
Art and the Samurai.
Samurai Quotes. ( a collection of Samurai sayings and beliefs)
Samurai Legends. ( a few famous stories about and including the Samurai )
Samurai Manuals (including The Book of Five Rings by Manimoto Mushi)
More
Samurai Information links
Jintachi Swords
These swords are approximately 44"
overall when sheathed. Out of it's sheath (or holder) the actual sword
is 43" long with a 28" Stainless Steel blade sharpened to
a fine edge. All in all, a quite impressive work of art worthy of display
in any collection.
SW0044 Jintachi sword in red. Click on picture for additional information.
