Samurai was Japanese traditional warriors who lived from the 10th century to the 19th century. Samurai were famous for their proud attitude and their high sense of responsibility. The basic word means people who always carry a sword had high technique in using sword and serve lord. The origin of the word samurai came from the Japanese word, meaning ‘serve’. At first, their status was really low, but later, the status rose and the word came to refer only to warriors who serve people in a high position.
It is the most important thing to serve and protect masters even if this means losing their lives. Samurai who has lost their master from ruin, wars or the mater’s desire were called Ronin, ”master-less samurai”. Since they were master less, it meant they were no longer a Samurai. There is a famous story about samurai called Forty- seven Ronin. After their master was made to commit a suicide, they in turn killed the person who was responsible. Later, all 47 of these Ronin in turn committed a suicide. This story is famous in Japan because it encapsulates the ideal of samurai to serve masters.
Samurai has their own philosophy called ‘Bushido’, which means the way of warriors. One of the most well known rules of Bushido is ‘Seppuku’. The rule is used if you have done something wrong to your group, you have to pay it back or take responsibility by committing a suicide in a specific way. The other situation is when you are about to be captured from enemy; they committed a suicide, rather than to be captured and suffer dishonor.
Samurai used crossbows and arrows, but as warriors, swords especially took a significant role. Swords were so valuable that they often named them. To wear sword was one of the privileges, which classify samurai into their classes. There is a story about samurai who had forgotten his swords. The man, who had been a great singer, was promoted to be a samurai, in turn. However, it was really difficult for him to be a samurai, and one time he has forgotten his swords at a castle. People made fun of him and he quit to be a samurai. The sword represents the personal honor of samurai and so it never left samurai’s side.
People from all over the world have a certain image of samurai, as we look at the movies about samurai today. Warriors who have high sense of responsibility to serve masters, wearing swords, traditional way of dressing and so on. Maybe the reason why samurai sprit is famous in all over the world is the reputable great warriors who never regret to lose life for their honor.
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