Samurai

Kenjutsu (the way of the sword) is the overall school of classic Japanese swordsmanship. Early techniques and methods were formalized in feudal Japan during the Muromachi Shogunate (ca. 1336 - 1573). The feudal Lords (Shogun) established schools for the development of Samurai. ☯ The Samurai warriors general training included the sword (Kenjutsu), archery (Kyujutsu), use of a spear-like weapon (Naginata), horsemanship (Bajutsu) and hand to hand fighting (Juijutsu) but the Katana (classic Japanese sword) came to symbolize the Samurai privileged class. Like Medieval Knights in the West, Samurai were a cult of war with a strict honor code. Skillful use of all weapons and fighting methods was expected of all Samurai, with extreme specialization in a particular discipline being common. A Samurai Archer, for example was not just a deadly shot and astoundingly proficient soldier but was expected to do it all while breathing properly and never breaking form or resorting to desperate or dishonorable behavior. Winning the battle was not enough. Seppuku (self-disembowelment) was an acceptable and expected trade for failing to lose or win honorably. ☯ All disciplines make use of Kata (forms), choreographed routines of steps, moves and postures simulating aggressive and defensive motions and practiced repetitively - as in really repetitively until an effective response to any aggression is automatic and instantaneous. This intense and continual training minimizes the energy and effort lost to panic and irrational and ineffective actions when danger presents itself. Samurai submitted themselves to extreme conditions (practicing barefoot in the snow for many hours), even excessive alcohol consumption to train themselves to perform at high levels even while impaired. ☯ I've used my favorite Stick actors to illustrate the different Samurai weapons. I attempted to give the feel of Japanese calligraphy as much as possible and a Japanese anime look in the sense that even the bad-asses are cute.