Samurai Code
Imagine you were a samurai. You’re in a battle and your family is also in danger. watcha gonna do, save your momma, your girl, keep fighting for your shogun until the end, or save your child? In other words, who is the most important for a samurai to defend?
Haha you thought. You’re gonna keep fighting for your shogun silly. You gotta be super loyal to him.
What are the throwing stars (weapon) that samurai’s use?
Shuriken
Why did the government come up with the idea of samurais?
They realized that Japan needed protection, had military needs, and needed a new source of power.
Who were the two families fighting against each other during the Gempai war?
The Minamoto family and the Taira family
What differentiates a swordsman and a samurai?
A swordsman is a person who is skilled with a sword, while a samurai is a more specific type of swordsman with not just sword skill but also armor and other martial arts skills.
What was the book of principles that every samurai had to follow?
Bushido :)
What was the other word for a bow (weapon) in Japan?
Yumi
Why did the power of the emperor decline over time?
Because many weak emperors have began to come to the throne, and many of them were children.
When did the Gempai war start?
1180!
What new capital city did emperor Kammu of Japan begin building?
Heian (modern day Kyoto)
Which of the following was NOT included when it came to how samurai should be:
righteousness, selflessness, courage, honor.
Selflessness
samurais were proficient in…..
(finish the sentence)
Hand-to-hand combat
After emperors no longer had real power, what did they begin studying?
Buddhism and poetry.
Who won the gempai war?
The Minamoto family
Who was a shogun?
The commander of all the emperor‘s military forces.
How many principles are in Bushido?
7
A yari is also known as which weapon?
A spear
Define shogunate.
Government of the shogun/hereditary military dictator of Japan.
When did the Gempai war end?
1185
Who was Minamoto Yaritomo?
The leader of Minamoto, and commanded their armies.
Bushido explains how a samurai’s _______ should be like.
Attitude
Name all the pieces of armor a samurai wore.
Helmet, chest plate, shoulder protection, leg protection, shin guards, facial protection.
What was the first shogunate?
Kamakura
What did the two families fight over during the Gempai war?
For land and control over the emperor.
What was a samurai’s literal meaning in Japanese?
Warrior, Knight, or “one who serves”