Samurai Training and the Warrior Code

• Boys (and sometimes girls) could become samurai from any family.
• A child will be chosen for samurai training would leave their family around the age of 7.
• Zen Buddhism was use as a major focus in samurai training to teach boys how to focus their mind.
• A ceremony called genbuku would be attended between the ages of 12-18 a samurai in training
• They practiced so much that the could shoot an arrow accurately without thinking
• They were taught how to breathe properly
• Samurai were taught how to shoot off a rider while riding on a horse
• Samurai were taught how to have self-control
• They also needed to overcome the fear of death
• To alert and alway be prepared was was taught
• A samurai's duty was to serve and obey his Daimyo until death.
• The Samurai was a part of the ruling warrior class
• They were expected to help keep the peasants in order
• A samurai can never be relaxed
• Samurai developed an "sixth sense"
• Many of the teachers told stories about being prepared
• Shame could be passed down for generations so many samurai chose to commit the ultimate sacrifice- seppuku- rather than bring shame upon themselves
• When a dying samurai is found, another warrior (probably a close friend) would act as second to cut off the head to avoid prolonged pain.
• In this way, a disgraced samurai could ensure that his wife and children would not be outcasts

Training in Writing, Literature and Tea Ceremony

Spiritual Training

• A monk named Honen founded Amida Buddhism in the 12th century
• He believed that all people could reach paradise
• Believers were taught to rely on Amida Buddha
• Zen was liked by samurai because of its efforts and discipline
• Zen Buddhist would meditate of hours
• Many meditated in zen gardens

Woman in Samurai Society

• Women in a samurai society's position declined by men
• In the 12th century, women were honored and treated with respect
• In the 17th century, they were treated as inferior to their husband