Samurai Wars – When Did the Age of the Samurai End?

Japan is home to Samurai warriors and of Samurai wars. Ever since the introduction of Samurai, these group of warriors are a breed of its own as the ruling elite of Japan. As early as 1185, Samurai warriors begin to replace the court government to act as administrator who manages the local government.

This court government were simply band of Samurai who were given power to managed large areas of rice land in Eastern Japan. Eastern Japan is present day Tokyo. A new government was formed by the Minamoto family headed by Minamoto Yoritomo. He was given the title Shogun since he has control over the military of his country.

This government was based in Kamakura south of modern day Tokyo. This government was ruled by a network of Samurai who exercise power. These Samurai literally take over the land of the rich landowners as the Heian government in Kyoto became weaker.

Eventually, the Samurai took the lead in developing the law to govern the Japanese nation during this period of time. It was at this time that the Mongols came to invade. A great storm came and played its role in saving the Japanese as they struggle over the Mongols. These were referred to as Kamikaze winds. Thus begun the rulership of led by the shogun ruling over Japan for the next 700 years.

The Kamakura Shogunate did not remain in power and were said to lose control of the country to a rivalling Samurai family: the Ashikaga family. This family moved the shogunate back to Kyoto. However, this government was not able to take control over the various provinces like its predecessor.

The daimyos or lords remain in control of the countryside. These lords fought against each other in the Samurai wars because of territorial claims. These daimyos build bureaucratic forms of government in their province. They also attempted to bring order in their society by means of military rule.

Locally run government was well-developed than the central government presented by the shogun. The Onin War named after the year when it was fought was a fight between two Samurai houses. It became a battle that ended in military and political disaster. Samurai warriors took this opportunity to develop their local autonomy.

Thus begun the territorial scramble throughout Japan. Petty warlords whose skills in fighting brought them these territories were in constant war with each other. The challenge from neighboring territories were common during this period. The number of battles and Samurai wars fought were countless that even these warlords lose count. During the 15^th through the 16^th century, Japan split into dozens of independent states that were constantly at war with each other.

It was also during this period when warriors were in high demand as was Ninjas and other warriors that specialized in unconventional warfare. This was dubbed as the Period of Warring States that lasted from the late 1400s through the 1600s.

By 1600, the powerful military families led by Tokugawa had military control of the local daimyo. They created a bureaucratic military government in Edo or present day Tokyo. This bureaucratic government ruled every facets of Japanese society during that period of time.

Even the commercial and agrarian sectors of the society was run by this government. In this society, the government divided the people into four classes of society: Samurai, artisans, farmers and merchants. The Samurai was definitely place at the top of this caste system. They were allowed to carry their Samurai swords in public. They get their pay from their daimyos in rice. To separate each social caste, Samurais were forced to live in designated districts of the castle towns.

Even today, these Samurai districts has remained well-preserved and has allowed tourist to get a glimpse of Samurai lifestyle. There exists Samurai mansions that are well-preserved and has been open to the public. There was a need to eliminate Toyotomi Hideyori, this signal the end of the Age of Wars. This was followed by two centuries of peace under strict Martial law. Thus was born the age of Peace. Even if the incident of the Forty Seven Ronin became a cause for celebration, this was viewed as unusual during this time of peace.

Real Samurai even if they gone rogue remain loyal to their master as in life and in death. These 47 Ronin went to extraordinary lengths to avenge the death of their warlord.

Their lord has been asked to commit the ritualistic form of suicide because of jealous rivals. After their masters’ death, they entered the man’s house and cut his head off. Even if this was an act of loyalty this was still a shocking unfortunate set of events. These Ronin even paraded their “trophy” through the streets of Edo.

They place this head in the grave of their master. The law permits vengeance against someone responsible for the death of a master and a father. However, permission must be applied to local authorities.  As a punishment these 47 Ronin was asked to commit suicide even if their intention was chivalrous in nature.

The system came apart after the US Navy led by Commodore Matthew Perry sailed their way into the Kagoshima Harbor. Their invitation was not really an invitation because this was down at gunpoint. Japanese leaders grudgingly admit that their weaponry was not up-to-date.

As a result, Samurai find that they are without job. About 2 million Samurai were ineligible for a career other than what they know best. It was also at this stage when conservative daimyo and Samurai attack the government who sided with the foreigners.

This issue was laid to rest when Emperor Mutsuhito stepped into his role as emperor under the Meiji period. He abolished the shogunate and moved the capital to Tokyo. Takamori Saigo opposed this government as much as he can. Because of the lasting impression that he created in the hearts of the people the Japanese government overturn the title of traitor and made his son a Marquess for the sake of compromise. He was later on honored with a statue in one of the parks. He was considered the last of the noblemen.