| Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, | | | | at the heart of the beliefs and conduct of |
| armour and a code during the ensuing | | | | the Samurai. The philosophy of Bushido is |
| centuries that became the centrepiece for the | | | | "freedom from fear." It meant that the |
| Japanese Samurai. Early weapons included | | | | Samurai transcended his fear of death. That |
| bows, arrows and swords. Armour included a | | | | gave him the peace and power to serve his |
| helmet that protected head and neck, a | | | | master faithfully and loyally and die well if |
| breastplate that protected the chest, arm and | | | | necessary. "Duty" is a primary philosophy of |
| shoulder protectors plus a belly wrap. Later | | | | the Samurai. |
| armour included protection for the legs and | | | | |
| thighs. Armour changed as the type of battles | | | | The Samurai rose out of the continuing |
| changed. A big change occured in the 5th | | | | battles for land among three main clans: the |
| century when horses were introduced to Japan. | | | | Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Taira. The |
| Another change occured in the 15th century | | | | Samurai eventually became a class unto |
| because of the constancy of war and the | | | | themselves between the 9th and 12th centuries |
| introduction of guns into battle. The code | | | | A.D. They were called by two names: Samurai |
| developed from the Chinese concept of the | | | | (knights-retainers) and Bushi (warriors). |
| virtues of warriors doing battle to the | | | | Some of them were related to the ruling |
| Samurai code of chivalry known as Kyuba no | | | | class. Others were hired men. They gave |
| michi ("The Way of Horse and Bow") to the | | | | complete loyalty to their Daimyo (feudal |
| Bushido ("Way of the Warrior") code. | | | | landowners) and received land and position in |
| | | | return. |
| "Bushido" means "Way of the Warrior." It was | | | | |