Samurai: Heroes of Ancient Japan -Md Mahmudur Rahman

660 BC: The Japanese sun goddess Ematerasu Omikami gave her only son Mikoto three sacred objects: a transparent mirror, a dazzling gemstone, and a shining sword. Japan’s ‘Chrysanthemum Throne’ or Chandramallika throne is very much in need of these precious objects. Because the Japanese believe that whoever has them will be the emperor of Japan, Mikoto handed them over to her successor, Jimmu. According to tradition, Emperor Jimmu ascended the throne as the first emperor of Japan. He started the history of the royal family on the island of Japan!

At the beginning of 794, the industrial revolution had not yet touched Japan. The entire country stands on agricultural production alone. At that time, most of the agricultural land was owned by the wealthy elite in this feudal country. Those who spent most of the time away from home for administrative work. In their absence, a loyal class of servants were engaged in looking after the fruit-growing fields. In addition, they had armed feudal lords to protect crops from looting. These soldiers protected the riches of the lord from local ruling groups and bandits. And so they once came to be known as samurai, which means service providers.

The opening episode of Samurai Warriors

This is how the forefathers of the samurai have been fulfilling this responsibility of the protector for generations. By clinging to this profession, the samurai tradition survived for many years in Japan. Gradually, they became unstoppable historical soldiers for the security of the cropland. At some point, they also started fighting for the emperor against various enemy groups. In return, they get a hefty salary and the opportunity to live in the allotted barracks.

This is how the life of the samurai went. However, they become so powerful as they fight against vicious bandits and enemies that they become the leading figures of clans. Gaining power to rule over disputed territories. Suddenly, the power of Emperor Mikado in feudal Japan began to change. Gradually, the power of the emperor and his council began to decline.
Meanwhile, military groups and their loyal samurai warriors became the power of the country. Political power began to shift into the hands of a variety of powerful clan leaders. Several tribal conflicts are also organized. The Zempei War ensued. In this war that lasted from 1180–85, two clans called Taira and Minamoto engaged in a struggle for state power. The final victory was achieved by the Minamoto clan. This group was led by the samurai warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune.

Rise of the Minamoto Shogunate

The victorious warrior Minamoto established a military government for the first time in Kamakura, Japan. He built his capital there. A powerful military regime was created, known as the Minamoto Shogunate. After the formation of the government, the emperor was demoted and kept in power. All political power was vested in the samurai. Thus, they started to manage the empire as per their wishes. However, there was discipline in this desire. There were ethics, loyalty, and transparency. Thus, Minamoto established a dictatorship in all of Japan. No one could declare himself a samurai at that time without his permission.

In 1274–81, China’s Yuan Empire was invaded by powerful Mongol forces. Gogras is swallowing the honey of the Chinese empire due to its aggressive power. Meanwhile, one day they caught sight of Japan, the land of the newly established samurai. At the end of 1274, they set sail to conquer Japan. The Mongols were ahead of the Samurai in terms of weapons and soldiers. And so they were snatching victories in every battle. However, even at that time, they were stationed in Hakata Bay, Japan, with military vassals.

One day, the familiar sea suddenly took on a terrible form. The war fleet of the Mongol army fell under the storm. The sailors then took a controversial decision. To escape from the storm, he left for the Chinese coast in the midst of strong waves. The warship sank in the middle of the sea due to heavy waves. Thousands of soldiers died. Thus ended the first attack. Later, they attacked again in 1280 but failed. However, the foundation of the service was shaken by the Minamoto Shogunate.

Reign of the Ashikaga Shogunate

Taking advantage of the weakness of the Minamoto Shogunate, a samurai warrior named Ashikaga Takauji gathered others and started a rebellion. At one point, the Minamoto Shogunate also collapsed. A new power arose: the Ashikaga Shogunate. The activities of this Shagunat, which started in 1336, lasted for about three hundred years. However, at this time, the power of several regions beyond the shagunate was axed in the hands of local daimyo leaders.

Then, power struggles re-emerged. The Ashikaga shogunate was once again disoriented by clan wars that broke out in 1467–77. After this, these tribal conflicts continued at various times. At that time, only the samurai were allowed to use the sword. Together, they carried two sharp swords called the katana and the wakizashi, much to the chagrin of others.

They divide occupational groups within the country into different categories. Shagunat’s descendants are above all. The emperor took the second position, and the skilled samurai warriors took the third position. In the next position were the tribes of farmers, fishermen, weavers, and other communities of the country. However, despite all the instability, Japan’s economy prospered at a phenomenal rate.

Peacemaking of the Tokugawa Shogunate

In the late 16th century, political unity was re-established in Japan under the leadership of the noble daimyo Tokogawa Yasu and his successors. These tribal conflicts ended in 1615. Once again, the samurai were united under the shadow of military rule. Tsukogawa Yasu became the seat of power. The capital was then the city of Edo, which is now Tokyo. At this time, the unwanted power of the samurai was reduced. Public opinion and civil liberties increased. Peace and prosperity flourished everywhere under the Tokugawa shogunate.

This rule lasted for 250 years. During this time, Buddhism spread everywhere under the guidance of Tukogawa. A unique way of life, Bushido, was established. Samurai warriors are bound by ethics, modesty, accountability, and discipline. It became an unforgettable era in the history of prosperous Japan. Japan made great progress during the time of Emperor Muromachi. Many activities in present-day Japan are also conducted based on this Bushido principle developed at that time.

At this time, Japan became known as a completely closed-economy country around the world. However, this policy has failed in the eyes of the West. And so, in 1853, the American naval commodore Matthew C. Perry rushed to the waters of Japan. He started threatening. Forced to participate in international trade. The Tokugawa Shogunate was forced into the trap of this stubborn decision. Later, they signed trade agreements with Britain, France, Holland, and Russia.

Effects of the Meiji Restoration and World War

As a result, the samurai’s newly established pacifist Japan opened its doors to free Western trade and investment. At that time, famine and poverty appeared in the country. The stability of the Tokugawa shogunate kingdom declined. Unrest was created across the state. Tokugawa’s reckless decision made everyone think. The common people started the movement. Samurai warriors also joined them. All of them were trying to restore the political power of the Japanese royal family, which had been dormant for about 700 years.

The powerful clans of Choshu and Santumam announced the ‘Meije Restoration’ in 1868 to restore power to the then Emperor Meiji. Finally, in 1871, the long-standing samurai rule was abolished. The royal family is re-seated in power. After the abolition of samurai rule, influential samurai became secretly involved in political parties. Thus, samurai power has survived to this day. After regaining power, Emperor Meiji faced several wars with a strong hand.

Under his visionary leadership, Japan won the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95 and the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05. Achieved incredible success in geopolitics and the economy. Because of this, Japan participated in the First World War with the United States, Britain, and Russia. This time, he came back as a winner. But the cruelty of fate fell during the Second World War. In that dark war, Japan met Germany on the battlefield with samurai swords and modern weapons, keeping the tradition of patriotic samurai in their hearts. But the service did not end.

Defeated soldiers surrender in samurai tradition. The horrors of Little Boy and Fatman in Hiroshima and Nagasaki still shake the consciences of the world. The Japanese state suffered greatly. The royal family donated much of their wealth to rebuild the battered country. In this way, the once-powerful royal family became the historical character of the state. They are respected in the eyes of the people, even if they do not currently have executive power.

The samurai’s far-reaching thinking, leadership skills, organisation, and cooperation were considered the national ideals of Japan until the end of samurai rule. These patriotic warriors have protected the motherland from colonial attacks at various times. Landed in the role of a patriotic fighter.

And that’s why they are considered Japan’s national heroes, despite so many conflicts. Their code of conduct, ‘Bushido’, still contributes to the regulation of elegant Japanese manners. Created a disciplined and orderly Japanese state. And so, all these heroic stories of samurai warriors will remain indelible in the diary of eternity.