Samuri

            Samurai and Bushido: What You Didn't Know.
             It is fairly common for people to have heard of samurai. It goes along with a lot of ideas associated with Japan and their culture. People think of majestic warriors from long ago. However, a lot of people, like myself, are not familiar with the word bushido. There is a huge association between samurai and bushido. Bushido was the way by which samurai were guided in life. Samurai were a huge part of the Japanese civilization for several hundred years. In this paper, I will cover the history of the samurai and the principles by which they lived their lives.
             Although a warrior class had existed for hundreds of years in Japanese society, the samurai did not emerge until the twelfth century C.E. (Hall, 8). The word samurai was derived from the word saburai, meaning "to serve. " The first mention of the term was seen sometime in the eighth century, but in reference to servants (Turnbull, 16). Although royalty lived lavishly, there were warlords and rebels always challenging their authority and causing a concern for their safety. Unable to rely on their royal guards, they put their sons and servants under the leadership of warrior-chiefs well known for their fighting ability. The groups of warriors offered their services to lords in exchange for protection and a share in the booty captured. The relationship between the lord and warrior was very serious. The warrior was expected to dedicate his life to the service of the lord in return for certain rewards.
             Towards the end of the twelfth century, the rival clans, Taira and Minamoto, assisted the emperor in quelling his enemies. However, after the episode the clans turned against each other and began fighting. Eventually the Minamoto clan won and the leader of the clan proclaimed himself shogun, or military leader. The position of shogun was normally temporary, but the leader of the Minamoto made it a permanent position, taking political power from the emperor.