We heard the term Samurai in the movies, especially in Hollywood movies based on Japanese culture. In this article, we will know about Samurai, samurai armor and many more new things. Samurai were the army of the ancient Japanese people
Samurai were the innate military of Japan and an official standing army of medieval and the twelfth century to their nullification during the 1870s. They had excessive status and special privileges which include sporting swords.
The samurai ruled on Japan from 1192 AD to 1868AD. They were retained by feudal lords known as Shoguns.
Samurai armour
The samurai wear lamellar armor which is a type of body armor developed from the Japanese ancient people. Its made of iron, leather or bronze plates and also made of small iron plates. Lamellar armor was widely used by the Japanese people.
This Samurai armour used by the samurai’s people and known as samurai armour or Japanese armor. And in the Japanese culture, it is called as Yoroi. The early people of samurai used small iron armor, known as Kozane. These Kozane were made of small pieces of iron that are attached by the leather.
After the 1500s century, a new type of armor become popular because of the advent of firearms. These new suite replaced by plate armor. In this armor face, thigh and back were protected by the plates which were more secure than previous Japanese armour. The back armor carrying flags, more weapons, and many new things.
Plate armour is a type of armor that is fully made of metal. Iron and steel plates used to make new armor. You can see the example of plate armor in the images below. It is known as Tosei-gusoku.
Samurai Helmet or Kabuto
Helmet or Kabuto was a type of helmet, used to protect the face of samurai. It was pair with shikoro and fukigaeshi. This made for protecting the neck and head of a samurai warriors.
Kabuto is a type of helmet used by the ancient Japanese samurai and warriors. It was the main part of the suit worn that is used by samurai in the wars.
Samurai Sword
Samurai warriors hold 2 swords at the same time. These styles change from time to time. The main swords of samurai are Katana Swords and the other is Wakizashi. Katana Sword was long and Wakizashi were shorts. These were commonly worn by the samurai.
On a special occasion like a ceremony, Samurai used tachi sword and a dagger.
Katana
Katana is a Japanese sword. These swords are curved and single-sided blades and you may be saw in the various movies. You can see in the below images. It has a single edge blade with a square guard and a long grip. This Sword widely used by the samurai and the Japanese warriors.
The other Japanese sword used time to time
- Jokoto – ancient sword used since 900 CE
- Koto– used from 900CE to 1500CE
- Shinto– used from 1596-1780
- Shinshinto– used from 1781 to 1876 CE
The material used for making armour
The breastplate is made with the two large, leather and iron plates.
The other part of the componentsmade of iron plates attached with the leather laces. Metal splints linked through chain cowl sleeves of blue brocade fabric.
Facts of Samurai Armour
The breastplate is emblazed with the determining of Achala, a famous Buddhist deity. Achala’s shielding personality is indicated through his sword and through the shiny purple flames that emanate from his body. The rope held in his left-hand factors to his capability to rein in evil (or spherical up the evildoers worried by using his sword). Here Achala is proven to stroll via waves, a frequent way of referring to his protecting powers. Legend has it that returning from a ride to China, the ship carrying Kukai (a legendary ninth-century Buddhist monk) was once caught in a storm. After attractive to a statue of Achala for cover, Kukai wont to be rewarded with an ingenious and prescient of the indignant god attacking the waves together with his sword, calming the storm and saving the ship and its passengers.
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Samurai’s power reduced by the different laws and do not have permission to carrying swords in public places.
Famous samurai
Akechi Mitsuhide- Akechi Mitsuhide was born on March 10, 1528 – July 2, 1582), also known as Jubei and later he was known as Koreto Hyuga no Kami from his title, was a samurai.
Saito Hajime – Saitō Hajime born on February 18, 1844 – September 28, 1915). He was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who most famously known as the captain of Shinsengumi. He was the core member who survived the numerous wars of the Bakumatsu period.
Yamaoka Tesshu- Yamaoka Tesshu born on (June 10, 1836 – July 19, 1888), also known as Ono Tetsutaro or Yamaoka Tetsutaro, was a famous samurai of the Bakumatsu period. He is also the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-Ryu school of swordsmanship.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi– Toyotomi Hideyoshi born on March 17, 1537 – September 18, 1598) was a preeminent daimyo, warrior, general, samurai, and politician of the Sengoku period
Best Movies on the Japanese Samurai culture
- When the Last Sword Is Drawn 1973
- The Hidden Blade
- Seven Samurai (1954)
- Twilight Samurai (2002)
- 13 Assassins (2010)
- The Last Samurai 2003