Samurai

The samurai once dominated Japanese government and society for centuries. The samurai played many roles in Japanese history. Some people think that the samurai were nothing more than fierce warriors. However, in reality, the samurai were skilled in the art of fighting as well as literature and other forms of art. The samurai warriors were well rounded and possessed multiple talents and skills.

There were many classes of samurai warriors. High class samurai warriors were trained to appreciate beauties of poetry, the theatre, flower arranging, and tea ceremony. Lower class samurai warriors were less trained but were still expected to be able to appreciate other forms of art than warfare.

The arts were an important part of life in Japanese society. Many samurai warriors enjoyed painting and calligraphy at teahouses.

• Samurai and the Feudal System
• Samurai religion
• Samurai women
• Samurai children