The culture of the Samurai was influenced by the spiritual philosophies of Buddhism, Zen, and Confucianism, whilst also to a lesser extent, ideologies from the native Japanese religion of Shintoism. However, the ritual nature of the ceremony particularly intrigued the highly educated Samurai, and thus, the peaceable custom was adopted and subsequently flourished through the people’s emulation of the warrior elites’ practises.
The practice of preparing the tea was introduced to the Samurai by Buddhist monks who used the tea to stay alert during periods of meditation. The art of sadō, the Japanese tea ceremony, particularly flourished in Japan’s era of post-pacifism due to its emphasis on simplicity and tranquillity consequently, enabling the Samurai to gain critical insight into realism through contemplation. Thus, the Samurai, formerly engaged in intense martial training, devoted their time instead to furthering their own spiritual development, scholarly pursuits, or in service to Japan’s traditional arts – from monochrome ink painting to flower arranging and Zen rock gardens. Hideyoshi’s loyalty to his duty is renowned in Japanese history as a practical depiction of the word Samurai, denoting ‘one who serves with this service ethic spawning the roots of Samurai nobility, both social and spiritual.’ Following Japan’s pacifism and with civil society at the precipice of peace, the nation’s need for its master swordsmen declined. Nobunaga, impressed by his dedication and sense of honour, rewarded his sandal-bearer’s intellect at each turn, as Hideyoshi began to distinguish himself as the military leader who would eventually unify Japan in the 16 th century. One cold winter’s night, Hideyoshi pressed his master’s straw sandals to himself under his kimono in order to keep them warm. Hideyoshi absconded at the age of 15, eventually entering into the services of Oda Nobunaga, an ambitious Samurai general, as his sandal-bearer. The legend of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great Samurai warrior, tells of a peasant boy sent by his family to a nearby temple in order to become a priest. These are the spirits of liberty, of religion, and of honour.’ The Warrior ‘There are, if I may so say, three powerful spirits, which have from time to time, moved on the face of the waters, and given a predominant impulse to the moral sentiments and energies of mankind.
0 kommentar(er)
