Features of Chinese characters
Hanzi is the most mysterious and amazing form of writing. Each hieroglyph has its own origin story and mystical component. Writing (drawing) a sign is strictly limited by rules and traditions; image elements are written clockwise, with large horizontal components drawn first.
Beautiful Chinese writing (calligraphy) is an art that evokes inspiration, emotional uplift, and brings internal energies into balance.
A graphic symbol written by a master is considered not only a work of art, but also a magical artifact.
Origin
The culture of samurai appeared in 646, after very large political and social reforms in Japan. At that time, there were many internal conflicts among the nobility, feudal lords and large landowners in the country. Most often they were resolved with the help of weapons.
Influential families decided to attract professional warriors for their protection. It was during that period that an unwritten code of honor and morality for the samurai was formed, which was called “The Way of the Horse and the Bow” (“Kyuba no Michi”). It was he who formed the basis of the Bushido code. Large feudal lords attracted samurai as protectors and servants, thereby protecting themselves.
By the 13th century, the shogunate was formed, after a long and bloody civil war, which became the catalyst for its formation. This is the highest government of all samurai classes, headed by the supreme commander, the shogun. At the same time, the symbolism of the samurai was finally formed.
D
DAIMYO lit. “big name”, a large feudal landowner whose income exceeded 10 thousand koku of rice per year DAISHO pair of samurai swords (Daito (katana) and Shoto (wakizashi)), made by one master and identically designed DAITO long Japanese sword ZANSHIN spirit of combat readiness JO stick 120 cm long JO-JUTSU fencing JO JI - SAMURAI small-scale warriors-landowners JINGASA helmet or simplified helmet for infantrymen - ashigaru JITTE dagger-beam, used by Japanese police during the Edo period JINDACHI-ZUKURI style of framed swords, in which they were worn suspended from the belt (tati) TO “body”, “cuirass”, “path”
Sashimono and Nobori
Continuing to consider the symbols of the samurai and their designation, we should mention sashimono and nobori. These symbols appeared immediately after other warriors and peasants joined the samurai army. The fact is that civil wars were very bloody, and there were heavy losses among the fighters. Even combat-ready peasants were recruited to replenish the troops.
For example, the powerful commander U. Kenshin, who lived in the mid-16th century, at one time had about 7,000 warriors. 6,200 people belonged to the infantry, and 400 of them were standard bearers. It was they who had nobori - a cloth that was laced to an L-shaped shaft. This form was very practical; it did not allow the banner to twist in the wind, covering the symbols of the warriors.
There were very large nobori, which were attached to the back of the warrior, while four others helped the first, holding and controlling the banner with the help of special guy wires (most often these were shigaru - peasant warriors).
Samurai Rangers
The popularity of samurai led to the appearance of various books, cartoons, films and TV series telling about their lives. This is how the television series “Samurai Rangers” appeared, which is designed for a children's audience. It has very little in common with real life, but is popular in certain circles.
Like real ones, samurai rangers have their own symbolism, which has its own meaning and meaning for each character in the film. The symbols of the Samurai Rangers are water, earth, fire, light, tree and sky (paradise).
However, films and books about real samurai only partially reveal the truth about their lives. Warriors and everything connected with them have a lot of secrets and taboos that are not revealed to a wider audience. In all likelihood, these warriors, who have a centuries-old history, customs and rituals, will remain a mystery to the rest of the world.
Samurai weapons
The main weapons of the samurai were two swords called “daisho”. From the 14th to the 19th century they were replaced by wakizashi and katana. In addition, the warrior had a long bow, which he mastered perfectly. It should be noted that samurai treated their weapons with great care and respect, considering them sacred. On the blades of the sword, its guard and hilt there were samurai symbols that spoke of his belonging to the clan and his status.
In addition to weapons, samurai had armor. They consisted of many metal plates that were tightly laced to each other. Authentic samurai armor, which amazes with its reliability and beauty, has survived to this day. Also in Japanese museums you can see the uniforms of those whom the samurai served. This armor is distinguished by expensive finishing and decoration.
The warriors, in addition to the above weapons, had a special ritual tanto knife (kusungobu), which they used when carrying out seppuku, known throughout the world as hara-kiri. In essence, this is a ritual suicide, "harakiri" translated from Japanese means "ripping open the abdomen."
The main symbol of a samurai is, of course, his sword. It is worth noting that the warrior did not immediately receive it. When learning the samurai lifestyle and martial arts, young people had the opportunity to use a wooden sword. And only after they became real warriors, they were given a metal katana. It was a symbol of their maturity and confirmation that they had learned the philosophy of the samurai and Bushido.
Heraldry and symbolism of samurai and their meaning
Heraldry and symbolism in Japan played a very important role, just as in European countries during the Middle Ages. That is, an emblem or symbol helped to identify which clan the samurai belonged to and which master he served.
Samurai symbols (mons) were an important element in life, and especially during battle. If medieval European knights placed their coats of arms and symbols on their shields, the samurai, unlike them, wore them on their armor or clothing.
These samurai symbols also helped to identify a warrior if he died on the battlefield. The victorious samurai or soldier could cut off the head of the fallen man, and, together with the uma-jirusi (sign, symbol), bring proof of victory to his master.
Uma-jirushi or "horse insignia" are the standards of various generals. They were in the hands of the rider and attached to a long pole. These insignia were used by the commander to command the army during the battle. Japanese insignia was simpler in comparison with European ones and therefore more understandable. Due to this, it was possible to quickly issue commands to the soldiers.
Other symbols of Japanese samurai
The meaning of the distinctive element in military equipment called "horo" is very interesting. Horo was a cape made of fabric, which was stretched over a special frame woven from elastic bamboo rods. The cape was a mandatory attribute of a samurai's military equipment, located behind his back.
It was intended to allow the rider to be recognized from afar. The thing is that when the samurai rode on a horse, wind currents lifted his cape, and it could be seen and identified. It was convenient in cases where a warrior went somewhere with important data or an order from a master.
B
BATTO-JUTSU is the art of drawing the sword, including cutting bundles of straw (tameshigiri). Arose in the 20th century BA-JUTSU the art of riding BAKUFU initially - the field headquarters of the commander, later - the government of the shogun BO-JUTSU the art of wielding a pole BOKEN a wooden sword introduced by Miyamoto Musashi for training. Originally used in kendo, it was later replaced by shinai BUDO martial or martial arts BUKE-ZUKURI style of sword mounting in which the sword was worn tucked into the belt (katana, wakizashi, etc.) BUSHI originally a noble warrior, later became synonymous with the word “samurai” BUSHIDO way warrior BU-TATI military sword, as opposed to court or civilian
History of appearance
The Western world became familiar with samurai and the symbols that were present on their weapons and clothing through movies. Many people became interested in who these mysterious people were. Samurai warriors have become overgrown with various myths and legends. It is worth noting that they had unusual abilities that aroused the respect and envy of ordinary warriors.
The basis of samurai behavior and lifestyle was Zen Buddhism and the Bushido code of honor. Zen Buddhism is a religious teaching followed by samurai. However, the code of Bushido was especially revered among them. It set out absolutely all the rules of behavior in society and in battle. It was a samurai symbol of honor, which all warriors followed strictly.
