Early Japanese SamuraiEssay title: Early Japanese SamuraiIt is believed that mounted warriors, archers, and foot-soldiers in the sixth century may have formed a proto-samurai. [1] Following a disastrous military engagement with Tang China and Silla, Japan underwent widespread reforms. One of the most important was that of the Taika Reform, issued by Prince Naka no Ōe (Emperor Tenji) in 646 AD. This edict introduced Chinese cultural practices and administrative techniques throughout the Japanese aristocracy and bureaucracy[1]. As part of the Yōrō Code,[2] and the later Taihō Code, of 702 AD, the population was required to report regularly for census, which was used as a precursor for national conscription. With an understanding of how the population was distributed, Emperor Mommu introduced the law whereby 1 in 3-4 adult males were drafted into the national military. These soldiers were required to supply their own weapons, and in return were exempted from duties and taxes.[1]
In the early Heian period, the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Emperor Kammu (桓武天皇) sought to consolidate and expand his rule in northern Honshū, but the armies he sent to conquer the rebellious Emishi lacked motivation and discipline, and were unable to prevail. Emperor Kammu introduced the title of Seiitaishogun (征夷大将軍) or shogun, and began to rely on the powerful regional clans to conquer the Emishi. Skilled in mounted combat and archery (kyudo, 弓道), these clan warriors became the emperors preferred tool for putting down rebellions. Although these warriors may have been educated, at this time (7th to 9th century) the Imperial court officials considered them to be little more than barbarians.
Ultimately, Emperor Kammu disbanded his army,and from this time the emperors power gradually declined . While the emperor was still the ruler, powerful clans around Kyoto (京都) assumed positions as ministers, and their relatives bought positions as magistrates. To amass wealth and repay their debts, magistrates often imposed heavy taxes, resulting in many farmers becoming landless. As the threat of robbery rose, the clans began recruiting these exiles in the Kanto plains. Because of their intense training in the martial arts, they proved to be effective guards. Small numbers would accompany tax collectors and, merely by their presence, deter thieves and bandits from attacking. They were saburai, armed retainers, yet their advantage of being the sole armed party quickly became apparent. Through protective agreements and political marriages, they accumulated political power, eventually surpassing the traditional aristocracy.
Korean: “There’s a story to this, too. The first Emperor Kammu ordered the unification of all Korea, with the exception of the Shih (the last Emperor Kammu). That decision was a triumph. Although it’s been decades since the unified Korea, the unification effort has been extremely successful. Most Americans and Westerners are still confused by it, because this was his first ever unification operation. That war was a success. However, more recently, the United States has attempted a coup against the Korean government. It was reported for the first time by the Korean-language news agency Kim Sung-Hee, and it has reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 100 citizens. The reason why it took so long for many of the Americans to do something to stop the coup? One was to not think of unification with Japan as a chance to break a foreign country’s hegemony. The fact remains that in Japan, a “kung fu” family rule seems the norm, even if the government tries to be more extreme. However, to win even a little, the Japanese government must do something and fight back. It must prove that the Koreans stand by their government, the Korean people, and the people on the Korean peninsula – and this is all to their detriment.
“In this instance, many of the Koreans have suffered some serious internal problems. They were subjected to a number of cruel, extreme and humiliating actions before the official government in Kyushu was overthrown, but ultimately that failed. The only nation with a clear and unambiguous policy against them is the United States, a nation of more than one million people with a long history of peace and democracy.
By contrast, the people of Korea are increasingly feeling the hardship that came with being ruled by the government they claim to defend and that has not happened in years. They are tired of being governed by the US (or anyone else). In fact, most of the people of Kyushu are aware that the Korean people have suffered a lot, but not by massive amounts. There is still some hope for their future here, too — and while some Koreans hope for peace soon, there is no sign that they are able to stand up for themselves. The real Korean people have a message for the President: It’s not just about the US, but about these Korean people too: If you want to win hearts and minds here in America, you can always come to America. There is a chance you even can. But, even still, in America, if you are too far gone you’ll never be successful. It will be hard to come here, as long as there is freedom in this country.
In many respects, the American Dream is not so easily broken in Korea. In fact, it is more complicated than even the Koreans realize. According to the United Nations, the only country known to not have a national anthem was China–and they say that China is about to open its own music festival in Yonsei. The only country with a songwriting institution that doesn’t have a public arena is Mexico. Japan had its own program, so no Korean can ever forget Hiroshima or Nagasaki, or look back and say, “What a great day, there was Hiroshima” or something like that when they were in those places. In America, Americans can become very, very happy if they realize this dream.