1/31: Samurai: Rise of the Warrior Class

1/31: Samurai: Rise of the Warrior Class

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​You can only take this quizizz lesson ONCE, so don't rush through it. Take the time to read.

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You can't retake it.

Poll

Of the following skills, knowledge and values, which do you believe makes good soldiers:

• swimming

• can use a rifle

• literature appreciation

• accept hardships without complaint

• know world history

Think about...

What makes a "well-rounded" soldier?

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Is being well-rounded important as a soldier? why or why not?

Samurai were famed for their courage and skill.

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One young samurai told of being shot in the left eye with an arrow, plucking out the arrow, he used it to shoot down the enemy marksman.

Over time, an elaborate culture and code of conduct grew up around the samurai. A samurai was expected to be honest, brave, and intensely loyal to his lord.

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In fact, the word samurai means "those who serve." The samurai code was very strict. Samurai often killed themselves with their own swords rather than "lose face" or personal honor.

The samurai were more than fearless fighters.

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They were educated in art, writing, and literature.

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Many were devout Buddhists. Their religion helped them prepare for their duties and face death bravely.

Multiple Choice

"Samurai" means

• mighty warrior

• those who learn

• those who serve

All samurai trained in the arts of war, especially archery.

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During the 1100's, women as well as men could be samurai. Girls and boys alike were trained to harden their feelings and to use weapons.

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Feudalism

By the 14th century, Japan's warrior society resembled the lord-vassal system of medieval Europe.

The shogun (chief commander) now ruled with the help of warrior-lords called daimyos. In turn, the daimyos were supported by large numbers of samurai. The daimyos expected to be rewarded for their obedience and loyalty with land, money, or administrative office. The samurai expected the same from the daimyos they served.

​ Europe Japan

​Feudalism in...

The king has lords serve & fight. The shogun has daimyos serve & fight​

The lord is the owner of his manor. The daimyo is the owner of his estate.

The knights protected their lords. The samurai protected their daimyos.​

Poll

European knights and Japanese samurai served to protect their lords. Who do you think would win if they fought each other?

• samurai

• knight

Multiple Select

How were daimyos and samurai rewarded for their service? Check all that apply

• paid vacation

• land

• money

• administrative office

Samurai Armor

A samurai went into battle dressed in heavy armor. He put on his helmet last.

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Before putting on the helmet, he burned incense in it. That way, his head would smell sweet if it were cut off in battle.

Stop now and go to Edpuzzle to watch the video "Samurai Armor" (under "no due date"). You will need to watch to answer the short answer question that follows.

If Edpuzzle won't let you access it from the link I posted, click on the three lines up in the left-hand corner. In the drop down menu, find my class. Look for the video under "no due date".

Open Ended

Describe ONE benefit and ONE negative of samurai armor:

Samurai Weapons

Samurai fought with bows and arrows, spears, and swords. A samurai's wooden bow could be up to eight feet long. Such long bows took great strength to use.

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In battle, sharpshooters on horseback rode toward each other, pulling arrows from the quivers on their backs and firing them at the enemy.

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In hand-to-hand combat, some foot soldiers used spears to knock riders off their horses and to kill an enemy on foot with a powerful thrust. The samurai's most prized weapon, however, was his sword.

Multiple Choice

What was the samurai's most prized weapon?

• bow and arrows

• spear

• sword

• flame thrower

Military Training

Young samurai were apprenticed to archery masters who taught them mental and physical techniques. Samurai practiced until they could shoot accurately without thinking. They also learned to breathe properly and to shoot at their enemies while riding on the back of a galloping horse.

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Sometimes in battle a samurai might lose or break his sword. Samurai learned to continue the fight by using other objects as weapons, such as metal fans or wooden staffs. They also learned how to fight without weapons by using martial arts. This type of fighting often involves using an opponent's strength against him.

Multiple Choice

Why did samurai learn to fight by using other objects, such as metal fans?

• to confuse the enemy

• in case his sword broke

• to make his sword last longer

Mental Training

Samurai had to learn self-control so they could overcome emotions that might interfere with fighting, especially the fear of death. They also learned to be always alert and prepared to fight.

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To learn how to endure pain and suffering, young samurai went for days without eating, marched barefoot in snow on long journeys, and held stiff postures for hours without complaining. To overcome the fear of death, they were told to think of themselves as already dead.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT a way samurai's were trained?

• marched barefoot in snow

• held uncomfortable positions for hours

• ate poison berries to build tolerance

• went days without eating

Training in Literature and Writing

By the more peaceful 17th century, samurai were expected to be students of culture as well as fierce warriors. Two important aspects of culture were writing and literature.

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Samurai practiced calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing.

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They also wrote poetry. One famous samurai poet was Matsuo Basho. He invented a new form of short poetry that was later called haiku. 

Multiple Choice

By the 1600's, the samurai were expected to be students of culture. Why?

• it was a more peaceful time

• they started holding poetry battles instead of fighting

The Code of Bushido and Samurai Values

The samurai code developed over several centuries. By the 17th century, it took final form in Bushido, "The Way of the Warrior." The code of Bushido governed a samurai's life.

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It called on samurai to be honest, fair, and fearless in the face of death. Samurai were expected to value loyalty and personal honor even more than their lives.

Women in Samurai Society

The position of women in samurai society declined over time. In the 12th century, the women of the warrior class enjoyed honor and respect.

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By the 17th century, samurai women were treated as inferior to their husbands.

The Influence of Samurai Values and Traditions in Modern Times

Modern Japan still feels the influence of the long era of the samurai. In the 1940s, the Japanese who fought in World War II stayed true to the warrior code. Many soldiers killed themselves rather than surrender.

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Suicide pilots crashed planes loaded with explosives into enemy battleships. These pilots were called kamikazes ("divine winds") after the storms that helped destroy an invading Mongol fleet in the 13th century.

Samurai Value Influence Japan Today

Other elements of samurai culture persist today. People in Japan continue to write haiku and practice calligraphy.

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Zen gardens and the tea ceremony remain popular.

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And the samurai ideals of loyalty to family and respect for rank are still alive in modern Japan.

Multiple Select

Check all below that were a part of samurai culture:

• calligraphy

• bushido

• poetry

• making silk

Multiple Choice

What was the samurai code?

• chivalry

• bushido

• shinto

• zen

Multiple Choice

Samurai traditions and values still influence Japan today.

• true

• false