Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centrepiece for the Japanese Samurai. Early weapons included bows, arrows and swords. Armour included a helmet that protected head and neck, a breastplate that protected the chest, arm and shoulder protectors plus a belly wrap. Later armour included protection for the legs and thighs. Armour changed as the type of battles changed. A big change occured in the 5th century when horses were introduced to Japan. Another change occured in the 15th century because of the constancy of war and the introduction of guns into battle. The code developed from the Chinese concept of the virtues of warriors doing battle to the Samurai code of chivalry known as Kyuba no michi ("The Way of Horse and Bow") to the Bushido ("Way of the Warrior") code.
"Bushido" means "Way of the Warrior." It was at the heart of the beliefs and conduct of the Samurai. The philosophy of Bushido is "freedom from fear." It meant that the Samurai transcended his fear of death. That gave him the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die well if necessary. "Duty" is a primary philosophy of the Samurai.
The Samurai rose out of the continuing battles for land among three main clans: the Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Taira. The Samurai eventually became a class unto themselves between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D. They were called by two names: Samurai (knights-retainers) and Bushi (warriors). Some of them were related to the ruling class. Others were hired men. They gave complete loyalty to their Daimyo (feudal landowners) and received land and position in return. Each Daimyo used his Samurai to protect his land and to expand his power and rights to more land.
The Samurai became expert in fighting from horseback and on the ground. They practiced armed and un-armed combat. The early Samurai emphasized fighting with the bow and arrow Japanese samurai warriors were ranked at the top of the Japanese social hierarchy for hundreds of years until 19th century. Shogun were the most powerful samurai who ruled Japan at the time.
Ronin In Japanese history, master less samurai where know as Ronin. These samurai retainers who were deprived of their place in the usual loyalty based hierarchy of Japanese feudalism. Perhaps the daimyo they had served died, became too poor to maintain his samurai or were exiled. The ronin was reduced to existing as farmers, monks, soldiers of fortune, or even bandits. They where in great demand during times of war. But in peace they were often a burden on society. They are presented at there noblest in the story of the 47 Ronin depicted by Chikamatsu in his popular drama. In this drama they are the model of loyalty and self-sacrifice exemplifying bushido. In modern Japan, the term ronin is often given to high-school graduates who, having failed to pass college entrance exams, are preparing for another opportunity
But when [his mother, Jochebed] could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. And his sister {Miriam} stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river.... and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. And when she opened it, she saw the child, and ... had compassion on him, ...
Then his sister {Miriam} said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?"
And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So [Miriam] went and called the child's mother. Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 2:4-10, NKJV)
350 years before Moses was born, the family of Israel had come into Egypt as honored guests of Pharaoh, but that history had become lost to the current king of Egypt. The former guests of the state were now slaves of that very same state, suffering forced hard labor under cruel Egyptian task masters. But in spite of their continual trials, the descendants of Israel kept increasing in number.
Pharaoh had become alarmed at the ever-increasing numbers of Israelite slaves, and feared an insurrection that would leave both him and his nation subservient to Israel. In an effort to prevent the toppling of his kingdom, Pharaoh instituted a plan of genocide: the killing of all new-born male children. If that wasn't bad enough, Pharaoh ordered the midwives, whose occupation was to deliver new-born Israelite children, to perform the unceremonious executions immediately upon birth.
During this period of state-instituted genocide, Moses was born. He was kept hidden by his parents for about three months, but by that time it was virtually impossible to keep him hidden from the continually patrolling executioners whose job was to ensure that Pharaoh's orders were carried out in spite of the efforts of fearful parents.
Amram, Moses' father, and Jochebed, his mother, were faced with an impossible situation: they couldn't continue hiding him, but if they did nothing, their child would have been discovered and cast into the river and died. So, even though they were very much afraid, they made a small boat for the child, set him in the river, which would have been his grave, and waited in faith to see what the Lord would do.
Moses was rescued by the daughter of the very man who commanded his death, was nursed by his own mother at Pharaoh's expense, and raised as a prince in the household of Pharaoh himself. This was the ultimate paradox: Pharaoh, Moses, greatest enemy, had become his savior and ultimate benefactor. God is good! And since children are the immediate benefactors of their parents faith, it is little wonder that Moses became the man of faith that he did.
There are several lessons we can learn from the situation: first, faith is a conscious choice made in spite of circumstances. Second, true faith overcomes fear. Third, God responds to genine faith with generosity, love, and power. Fourth, true faith enables and empowers the hand of God Himself. Fifth, true faith, enables us to hear the Lord speaking, even though initially it may only seem like our own good idea.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)
Jon Straumfjord has sinced written about articles on various topics from Religion, Alternative Medicine and Beauty Tips. Jon Straumfjord is the author of numerous articles about the Seven Spirits of God and the God of the Bible. He is also the creator of the website