The Heart of the Warrior: Origins and Religious Background of the Samurai System in Feudal Japan

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Catharina Blomberg D.C.M. Blomberg

The Heart of the Warrior

Origins and Religious Background of the Samurai System in Feudal Japan

Catharina Blomberg, D.C.M. Blomberg

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English

RoutledgeCurzon
17 January 1995

Social & cultural history; Buddhism; Confucianism; Shintoism; Social classes

"This book traces the development of the samurai, in the way they regarded themselves and their role in society. From their origins as provincial men-at-arms they gradually evolved into a very powerful group who had an almost mythical status. Their concept of chilvarous behaviour and strict code based on the central principle of loyality to death and beyond, hitherto largely ignored by scholars, has since earned them a worldwide appeal. The warrior ethic is examined in relation to the three traditional religious influences - Buddhism, Shinto and Confucianism. As warriors the ""bushi"" contravened the most important tenets of the main religions, that of taking life, which was strictly forbidden in both Buddhism and Shinto. Therefore ways had to be found to justify their actions to harmonize with these religions. The book analyses the attitudes of the samurai themselves towards such characteristic features of their life as the sword and sword-fighting techniques, the taking of heads of fallen enemies on the battlefield, honourable suicide (""seppuku"") and human sacrifice (""junshi"" and hito-bashira"") the cult of the god of war, hachiman, and of Buddhist deities of warlike aspect, as well as the existence of men's societies, concentrating on those religious and ethical ideas which separated the bushi from the rest of the population."

By: Catharina Blomberg, D.C.M. Blomberg
Imprint: RoutledgeCurzon
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9781873410134
ISBN 10: 1873410131
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 17 January 1995
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Blomberg, Catharina