The Samurai: A Medieval Japanese Warrior

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Medieval Japanese warriors known as samurai follow a strict and orderly belief system. Not only were they one of the most elite warriors in human history, but they are one of the most morally structured fighters. Not only were they strong physically but they were spiritually strengthened as well. Being a samurai meant that what you stood and fought for had to come first and be prominently implemented into your life.

The samurai were mostly comprised of Shinto. This belief system helped structure the bushido code which essentially is the samurai code of honor, belief and morality. Samurai practice Shintoism in a highly ritualistic setting. The pantheon of Shintoism was full of gods and goddesses that lived in a variety of places such as forests, the air or even bodies of water. While there were many gods and goddesses none of them were considered omnipotent. The abilities of these beings could only be harnessed through a spiritual priest who knew the proper rituals and practices. Shinto was essentially what drove the samurai to fight and protect their homeland and practice their strong tradition. …show more content…

This was likely due to their strong practices of Confucianism. Confucianism stresses the importance of leading an ethical life which is essential to being a pure samurai. It also means having an immovable respect towards authority. Samurai naturally adopted these beliefs from Chinese philosophy due to what they saw as the natural hierarchy of men. It was Shintoism that that let samurai learn how the world was established, but it was Confucius beliefs that taught them how to view their shoguns, emperors and another samurai. To the samurai loyalty to superiors was to go without

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