Feudal Japan is known as the age of the samurai. Like the knights of feudal Europe, they were an expensively equipped warrior aristocracy. However, they were only one of several different types of warriors in this specific period.
A horde of ancient warriors who were not afraid of death, warriors who always put honor before their lives.
With a katana in hand, guided by a strict code known as the Bushido ("warrior's path"), the samurai were an incredibly disciplined army, the fear and trembling of all the enemies of Japan..
Samurai have served many functions in Japan, however, their most famous role is that of a warrior. But what set them apart from other warriors around the world was not just a different armor and sword. They were an educated, politically active elite class. Although he often owned huge land, a large income from property and lived in a very comfortable environment at that time, the Japanese feudal lord of the early Middle Ages was primarily a warrior. In addition to constant training in the fight with swords and other weapons, maintaining physical fitness, samurai have paid a lot of attention to education from an early age.
At a time when very few Europeans could read, the level of literacy in Japan was very high. In addition, knowledge of Chinese literary classics, Chinese philosophers, as well as the work of strategists and theorists of military tactics, was considered mandatory for every good samurai.
A bow and arrow, a spear and two swords, were the basic weapons of the samurai and their skillful use was as important as life itself. Particular attention was paid to the training of sword fighting, because fencing was considered the basis of all warrior skills. And not just warrior skills.
And women were warriors, side by side with men. The Onna-bugeisha belonged to the samurai class, and the same Bushido (code of conduct) applied to them as to men. The only difference between male and female warriors was the weapon of choice: While men always went to war with their legendary katanas, women mostly fought with a slanted, spear with a rounded sword on top.
The best Japanese fighter of all time, samurai Musashi Miyamoto who lived between the 16th and 17th centuries. Very much appreciated and respected. Master of all arts.
Such versatility should come as no surprise given that true samurai sought to develop their artistic side in addition to being warlike. So many of them were also masters of painting, calligraphy, tea ceremonies and other Zen-inspired arts. Musashi himself says about that: "It is said that the Way of the Warrior is twofold: the Way of the Sword and the Way of the Kitsch, and the rule is to practice both. "Even if there are no natural inclinations for those paths, warriors are expected to show their abilities in various other skills and arts."
He showed this by his own example: he created masterpieces of calligraphy and sumi-e painting, some of which are considered national treasures, and at the same time a symbol of the samurai spirit, the one who dedicated himself to realization on the Path of the Sword, so in Japan he is called kinsey or "Saint of the sword."
Japanese samurai are amazing! Very skilled fighters! Their skills are at a high level!