Samurai

= **Samurai ** = **Tyler Meade and Brady Boymook** =  = = =

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Description
The samurai were the warriors/police of pre-industrial japan. They were used to keep the peace and to protect people and monuments. The samurai only were about 10% of Japans population, but their teachings were used everywhere in Japan and even now in modern day Japan. Japanese samurai all belonged to a clan that was lead by a powerful Daimyo, who was a lord appointed by the emperor. Some clans were originally formed by farmers who had taken up arms to protect themselves from the imperial magistrates sent to govern their lands and collect taxes. These clans formed alliances to protect themselves against more powerful clans, and by the mid-Heian period they had adopted characteristic Japanese armour and weapons, and laid the foundations of bushido, their ethical code.

EQUIPMENT
Early samurai were archers, fighting on foot or horseback with long bows called yumi. They used swords mainly for finishing off wounded enemies. After the Mongol invasions of 1272 and 1281, the samurai began to make more use of swords and spears. Samurai warriors wore two swords, together called //daisho// - "long and short." The //katana//, a curved blade over 24 inches long, was suitable for slashing, while the //wakizashi//, at 12-24 inches, was used for stabbing. In the late 16th century, non-samurai were forbidden to wear the daisho. A samurai is instantly recognizable due to his distinctive armor and helmet. Although the early samurai armor was made of one piece it is the lamellar armor that came next that continues to represent the samurai image today. Lamellar armor is made by binding together metal scales into a small plate, which is then covered with lacquer to make it waterproof. These small, light plates are fastened together with cords of leather, each plate slightly overlapping the other. Originally, there were two basic types of lamellar armor. Yoroi that was worn by mounted samurai, this heavy armor included heavy helmets and imposing shoulder guards, and Do-Maru that was worn by foot soldiers, this armor was more closely-fitted and lighter in weight. Much later, as hand-to-hand combat became more prevalent, the do-maru style armor became more popular. Do-maru were modified to include heavy helmets and light-weight shoulder and shin guards. Helmets, called kabuto, are made from metal plates riveted together. In many designs, the rivets form rows of ridges along the outside of the helmet, adding to their distinctive look. Higher-ranking samurai added clan symbols and other decorative flourishes to their helmets. Some helmets included metal masks bearing intimidating devil faces, sometimes with mustaches and beards made from horsehair. During peaceful periods, these helmet ornaments grew very elaborate, and today are considered works of art.

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