Samurai Values and Customs
Armor and Training
The Lord-Vassal System
Writing and Women
Religion
100
The Samurai had very strict guidelines to live by. The samurai code developed over the centuries. By the 17th century, it took form. It is known as "The Way of The Warrior." What is the samurai code called?
What is the Bushido Code
100
Samurai warriors had three main weapons, bows and arrows, spears, and swords. This was their weapon they treasured and use the most. Some say it was the strongest sword ever created.
What is the Katana
100
The government in Japan was under rule by the aristocratic family named the Fujiwara family. Towards the decline of power, these powerful landholders formed their own clans of Samurai warriors and had complete control of economic issues.
What is Daimyo
100
During Samurai training, the warriors had to write Haikus. There were many syllables in these poems. How many syllables in total were in haikus?
What is 17 syllables
100
Japenese had many different religions throughout their long history. They had religons to choose from such as Shinto or Buddhism. Shinto valued the beauty of nature. Buddhism valued being clear of bad thoughts and reaching Nirvana. Which of these religions is most similar to the Chinese relgion of Daoism?
What is Shinto
200
A Samurai is expected to be many different things in battle. They are expected value to be these fine characteristics in the face of death that have governed their lives throughout their training and in battle.
What is Honor, Loyalty, and Fearlessness
200
In Samurai Clans, they had manny ways to train and fight. At the beginning of the new Samurai's clan, they used their first training way. This way was to prepare the new warriors for battle and the way of the Samurai.
What is The Way of the Horse and the Bow
200
In Japan, the Emperor was just a figurhead to represent the government. This person had most of the power over the civilization and the military, but still had to report to the Emperor.
What is the Shogun
200
Other than being a fierce warrior, the Samurai had to be educated in writing and literature. Other than poetry, the Samurai had to be trained in this style of writing.
What is Calligraphy
200
This form of Buddhism, which was founded by Honen, had followers who devoted their lives to being accepted in the Pure Land, which was found by a prince. The followers got into the Pure Land by prayerfully repeating this Prince's name, who later became the Buddha
What is Amida Buddhism
300
The Samurai warriors valued serving their lord and having honor than their own lives. The Bushido Code put losts of emphasis on honor for the Samurai, so much so that if they commited a crime or failed to serve the Emperor and lost their honor, the Samurai would do this, or ritual suicide.
What is Seppuku
300
During the Samurai's mental training, the Samurai used many ways to endure brutal pain. The went for days without eating, walking barefoot through snow on long journeys. The one huge part of becoming a Samurai was to overcome the fear of death. To overcome this, Samurai had to think of themselves as this.
What is Already Dead
300
Feudal Japan lasted for a long time. The Samurai were under Daimyo rule who reported to the Shogun. Although, he had little to no power, he still represented the spiritual part of the government.
What is the Emperor
300
Most women were expected to stay and manage the household. Women also fought in the Samurai clans. When women fought they were expected to act this way, the same as men.
What is Loyal and Brave
300
Zen Buddhism was very popular with the Samurai as well as the common people. To reach enlightenment in this form of Buddhism, people must do this practice and clear the mind of clouding thoughts.
What is Meditate
400
The Samurai's supreme duty was to serve his lord and the Emperor. If his lord was murdered, what would the Samurai do to pay his respects and restore their lord's honor?
What is Avenge his Death
400
The Samurai had very strong, durable, and easy to wear armor. After putting on a kimono, and baggy trousers, the Samurai put on one of these, designed to drive fear into the enemy.
What is A Ferocious Mask
400
Feudalism was a military controlled government. The Shogun had lots of power and ruled over the Daimyo. These fierce warriors dedicated their lives to military service and honoring the emperor and the Shogun.
What is the Samurai
400
The Samurai had to practice calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Not only did they have to be a strong warrior, but the Samurai also had to be educated. During their mental training of becoming a Samurai, Calligraphy was written with these tools.
What is a Brush, a Block of Ink, and Paper or Silk
400
Shinto was a religion that devoted their lives to worshipping the beauty of nature. They had many temples throughout the empire of Japan, and Shinto still has many followers today. These spirits are who Shintoists devote their lives to.
What is Kami
500
Samurai were expected to keep their personal honor. They would go to extreme paths just to preserve their honor. They would fight duels in the street just to keep it. What would cause these bloodshed duels?
What is an Insult
500
The Samurai were very dedicated to their religion. Buddhism was a religion that helped them through battle. This form of Buddhism helped Samurai learn discipline, focus their minds, and overcome the fear of death.
What is Zen Buddhism
500
Even though they were at the bottom of the social pyramid, they were very influential in Feudal Japan. They honored and were loyal to the Shogun and the Daimyo, in exchange for protection and benefits. These people were in charge of farming the fields and military service.
What is Peasants or Serfs
500
Peasant women were treated with some respect and worked alongside their husbands, but Samurai wives were completely under the control of the men. Therefore, they had to stick to simple food and clothes. Samurai wives also had to stay away from these activities
What is Plays, Singing, and other forms of Entertainment
500
Zen Buddhists created zen gardens to aid in meditation. They artfully arranged gardens were often simple and stark. They often indulge in this type of thinking to jolt the mind into enlightenment. They spoke of puzzles, called Koans. The most famous Koan is, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"
What is Logical Thinking
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