Introduction

The samurai and their chivalrous code of conduct known as bushido influenced the whole of Japanese society, but who were the samurai and how could a class of people dedicated to war and violence have such an impact on a culture known for its politeness, manners, and aesthetic beauty?

The word samurai literally means “one who serves,” and originally referred to domestic servants. Over time, it became attached to those elite military warriors from the nobility who provided security and a fighting force for the aristocratic class. The first samurai could be considered imperial mercenaries.

As the imperial family expended effort to extend their territory beyond the capital, the need for more such warriors increased. In conjunction with the expansion of imperial aristocratic needs, a growing segment of nonaristocrats—wealthy landowners—began to create private armies to protect and expand their own holdings.

Though primarily from noble families, the samurai were not considered part of the aristocracy. Instead, they served as the mercenary tools of the various competing groups within the aristocracy. However, their military success resulted in grants of considerable parcels of land to these aristocratic families. In turn, this land came under the administration of their samurai vassals. Eventually the land came under samurai control as payment for their services. Since possession of land was the basis of power, the samurais’ power inevitably grew also.

Power struggles and battles between various factions using samurai armies throughout the country persisted for decades. By the late 12^th century, the samurai’s power had become dominant. As a result, the emperor established the first shogun or military dictator. This appointment established a pattern whereby samurai would rule Japan for most of the next seven centuries. The establishment of martial rule and the ascension of samurai as the dominant class would have far-reaching effects on the development of Japanese society. Samurai political dominance exerted influence not only in the areas of ruler and lawgivers, but also as patrons in the fields of education and the arts.

It was during the time of the Tokugawa regime (1603-1868) that samurai influence truly started to permeate all aspects of Japanese society. During this period, Japan became a society closed to the outside world. With the unification of the country under a central military government and the exclusion of Western influence, this rigid feudal structure produced a nation possessing an unbelievably disciplined nature that is in some respects still evident in Japan today.

For a ruling class birthed in conflict, a concern grew that the material prosperity of the Tokugawa era would lead to a weakening of the warrior spirit. This was viewed as a threat to the moral and social order of society. Out of this concern, a codification of the traditional practical philosophies of the samurai became a foundational norm for Japanese society at large.

Bushido became a guide in moral and practical instruction: a Japanese code of chivalry outlining the personal, social, and professional standards of conduct for the samurai.

The feudal and military modes of this code became ingrained in not only the warrior, but in the society. All aspects of life, including personal responsibility, familial relations, public duties, education, finance, and ethics, became embraced through the martial spirit of bushido.

There is no greater symbol of the samurai warrior and the martial code he lived by than his sword. The sword was considered the soul of the samurai. What makes this sword unique is its forging process. The special blade materials were combined and repeatedly fired, folded, and hammered. The many repetitions of this process produced a blade strong, tough, and resilient—perfect for the samurai sword. As a final procedure, the master swordsmith applied a layer of special adhesive clay in a pattern to part of the blade before heating. When polished, this pattern provided a unique look and character for the sword.

The samurai sword is a masterpiece of strength, toughness, flexibility, and beauty: a true representation of the samurai legacy. In many ways this unique weapon symbolizes not only the samurai, but also the Japanese society that resulted. The properties of strength combined with flexibility became witness to the world following the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. The world saw a people bend, but not break; a people imbued with human toughness, resolve to carry on, and do what needed to be done without complaint or chaos; a people who embraced moral and ethical wisdom, and put it into action. This can be summed up in the expression: Do the right thing all the time. Evident even today, this philosophy is ingrained into all aspects of Japanese life and is the samurais’ legacy.

The sword can also be seen as a metaphor for life. As the materials are repeatedly heated, hammered, and folded, the dross is removed, and the elemental properties are combined and enhanced in the fiery furnace, creating a stronger and more flexible material.

In life we often encounter our own “fiery furnace(s)” or challenges. These tend to mold our character, ultimately producing a stronger, wiser, and more flexible you.

The world’s people witnessed Japan arising from a war-torn country into an economic superpower, and they were astonished. Many businesses and organizations desired to study and emulate the concepts behind the Japanese business model; for example kaizen, which means “constant improvement.” In Japanese businesses and organizations, there is more of a team atmosphere than in Western society. The Japanese mindset is toward the good of all and more of a group mentality.

After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the people of Japan rose to the occasion. They helped and shared with one another in the face of the disaster. This showed the world the strength and goodness of Japanese moral and ethical integrity in the face of tragedy. Their example is an inspiration for our business and personal lives. It lets us see what this “way of the warrior” is all about. Ask yourself, “What would the samurai do?”

Among the pantheon of warriors, the samurai is surely the greatest.

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Tetsuro Shigematsu, samurai descendant