Good death is better than a shameful life

Samurai sacredly honored traditions of their people. For them, the main quality was an honor. For any Japanese warrior she was more valuable than life.

Even samurai died with dignity, impaling himself personally skating.

The procedure for discharging guts himself called hara-kiri or seppuku. Seppuku suggested strict adherence to the rules, but simply means harakiri suicide without ritual. Harakiri did commoners, and seppuku - only samurai, but in fact it is almost the same. The ritual is usually carried out in the presence of others, which gave it an additional deterrent effect.

The soldiers watched the ceremony seppuku samurai in a white robe

Samurai appeared in the Heian era, about the year 710. During the inter-clan wars they are perfectly proved themselves in combat and quickly became Japan's military elite. They were the ruling class of the rising sun from the XII to the XIX century.

In the photo Samurai commits seppuku.

samurai philosophy was based on Confucian principles. They have there own code - Bushido, which translates as "the way of the warrior." He was brought up in a warrior's courage, courage, devotion to his master, and contempt of death.

group of Samurai warriors in traditional armor. 1870.

The hottest days of the Samurai came to in the XV century and lasted until the XVI century. Then there were many clans that fought among themselves for power. Later, the war ceased, and there were some major clans in Japan, which are divided between the territory.

Japanese women in traditional costumes in the shop. The picture of the late XIX century.

The need for a peaceful era samurai practically disappeared, so the soldiers became teachers, artists or officials. Possession of martial arts faded into the background.

Photo Samurai made by the Italian war photographer Felice Beato in 1862.

In the Meiji era to the samurai fallen on dark days. Emperor deprived of their rights and sets began to form an army on the Western model - by conscription.

The Samurai Group. 1890.

Among other things, the Japanese soldiers lost their right to bear arms, and executed on the spot anyone who insulted their honor.

The Japanese traditional armor blowing the conch shell.

But, despite the fact that authorities harassed Samurai, their influence on Japanese culture is felt even now. Basically, in the world of martial arts.

The samurai in full uniform.

Severity Japanese does not hold. Terribly closed society to form their tradition back in the old days. Even today in Japan, quite a large percentage of suicides. Here people still believe that a good death is better inglorious life.