What happened to the samurai?

The Samurai began to take prominence in Japan by 1180, participating in wars and especially civil conflicts, approached by leaders of the ancient clans. A kind of military dictatorship called “was formed since then Shogunato” standing above the emperor, who did not share in decisions. Samurai fed Japan with a fine culture and were protagonists of Japanese history for a long time. However, times were changing, and Japan took a different course.

In 1868 a new emperor comes to power, beginning an era called “The age Meiji”. Japan takes a turn that brings great changes that would affect the samurai's life - style. In the Meiji era, an emperor named “Mhutsuhito”, is now known as Emperor Meiji, restored power to the emperor. The capital, which had been Kyoto until then, moved to Tokyo, and after many events, the samurai dictatorship ended forever. Foreign trade began, changed laws, and thus the country opened to Western influences as well as modernized, transforming it into power in later times.

Samurai stopped being necessary for this new Japan and felt abandoned and betrayed. There were rebellions, conflicts and disagreement with the new government and their status as warriors, along with the benefits, were slowly disappearing within a few years. In 1871, the government finally banned the typical samurai dress and grooming. By 1876, former samurai received a government salary, but that year it was decided not to give them that economic assistance.

That same year, the Haytren order was signed that forbade holding swords, so these new standards and restrictions caused those called former samurai to end the lifestyle of warriors and seek a new way of survival. Many of them took advantage of the possibility of being in politics, or of participating in a new time police officer. Others led a more modest life by working in the fields. The rest enrolled in the new government army. Even Catana's forgeers began to feel this change, they had no one to sell their swords, so that even this craft had no place in this odentified society.

In conclusion, everything related to the samurai lost value in this new Japan, whose priorities were adapting to the new times and the importance of being in good standing with other states. With this view, we can see how difficult the samurai transition has been. Not just adapting to a totally different life. However, thanks to these and many changes that took place in the Meiji era, Japan achieved a much - desirable stability. The moment this society achieved modernization, it also eventually learned the value of its traditions, arts, customs, and eventually its origin. Today this proves how they care, distribute and worship historical heritage and traditional cultures uniquely beyond time. Today, we know that the spirit of samurai did not remain forgotten, and the balance between old and young is one of the specialties of Japanese society. / Source: “Prepare F. Agastra / World. al