Every time I go to Japan and admire the beauty of the country, whether it is a city or a rural corner, I cannot help but stop to think about how modernization has come about and all the comforts we have. It is a must, I think, to know something more... In this article I would like to talk about a topic I am very attached to, the samurai. Since I was a child I have always been fascinated by this legendary figure, in fact today I am here to tell you who they were, and what these men did to be considered legendary warriors. So sit back and enjoy this short story
ORIGINS AND HISTORY
Samurai, iconic figures in Japanese history, are considered noble and respected warriors, custodians of a code of honor that shaped the culture and society of feudal Japan
Their origins date back to the Heian period (794-1185), when the first private armies began to be created with the aim of protecting the interests of the nobles. Over time, they became a distinct social caste, asserting themselves with martial skills and loyalty to their master (daimyo). In addition to the war, the life of the samurai was enriched by profound cultural wisdom. They devoted themselves to calligraphy, poetry and the tea ceremony
Among the most emblematic samurai in Japanese history are Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, three fundamental figures who helped shape modern Japan.
ODA NOBUNAGA: THE REVOLUTIONARY
Also known as the demon king, he distinguished himself for his daring and innovative military. Under his leadership, Japan saw a flourishing of trade and a greater opening to the West. With a combination of diplomatic cunning and ferocity in battle, he initiated a process of unification that aimed to put an end to the period of political fragmentation known as the Sengoku (period of civil wars), in fact he unified central Japan under a single clan. He was one of the first to use firearms on the battlefield, changing the traditional dynamics of warfare. He introduced the "musket", a weapon that was slow to reload, but Nobunaga invented a stratagem, flanking the soldiers equipped with firearms with archers so that he could have time to reload the musket. His assassination in 1582 marked the beginning of a power struggle that would involve several leaders, including Hideyoshi and Ieyasu.
TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI: THE UNIFIER
Hideyoshi had an early life marked by poverty and deprivation. As a young man, he joined Nobunaga's army, where his exceptional combat skills quickly rose through the military ranks, becoming one of his lord's most trusted generals. After several successful campaigns against the rebel clans, Nobunaga appointed Hideyoshi daimyo of three districts in Omi Province. By now the road to power had been paved, after Nobunaga's death he consolidated power, beating his rivals and forging alliances. In 1590, he completed the process of unifying Japan, creating an era of stability and prosperity. As ruler of Japan, Hideyoshi implemented several policies and reforms that regulated social and professional positions. In 1592 and 1597 Hideyoshi launched two unsuccessful invasions of Korea, marking the end of his era of expansion
TOKUGAWA IEYASU: THE PEACEMAKER
Ieyasu like Hideyoshi also fought alongside Nobunaga. Together they engaged in a long conflict with the rival Takeda clan, eventually defeating them in 1582. In the same year, Oda Nobunaga was assassinated, giving rise to a succession struggle in which Toyotomi Hideyoshi emerged victorious. Although initially hostile to each other, in 1590 they teamed up to attack the Hojo clan, which controlled the Kanto region of eastern Japan. After defeating the Hojo, Ieyasu focused on consolidating his power in the Kanto region, while Hideyoshi embarked on disastrous military campaigns in Korea. When Hideyoshi died in 1598, he left as heir a young son and a council of five regents including Ieyasu to rule until the boy came of age. Conflicts soon arose within the council and this led to the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, in which Ieyasu's eastern army defeated the western army loyal to the Toyotomi. Ieyasu emerged victorious as ruler of Japan. In 1603, he was appointed Shogun by the emperor, establishing the Tokugawa shogunate which reigned for 250 years. During this period, Japan experienced unprecedented economic and cultural stability, while restricting external access to the country. Ieyasu implemented a system of government that established strict social control and hierarchy, but also support for culture, printing and crafts.
CONCLUSIONS
With the advent of the Edo period (1603-1868), Japan entered an era of relative peace. The need for fierce warriors diminished, and many samurai became peasants. The Meiji Restoration (1868) marked the end of this social caste and the beginning of modernization. However, the legacy of the samurai continues to influence society today with the values of bushido (the way of the warrior), the aesthetics of martial arts and symbols such as the katana. In addition, the figure of the samurai is a recurring theme in literature, cinema and manga, inspiring people from all over the world
