Martial Arts of the Samurai poster – Samurai Warriors in Training Wall Art – Ukiyo-e 1865 – 3/3.
This fabulous Martial Arts of the Samurai poster is a reproduction of a Keio era Japanese woodblock print. These colourful woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, is a genre of Japanese art that depicts scenes from everyday Japan. The terms Ukiyo-e or 浮世絵 translates as ‘the floating world’. The name is in reference to “the pleasure quarters” or red-light district in Yoshiwara.
Ukiyo or 浮世 is the Japanese phrase that describes the urban lifestyle and culture, especially the pleasure-seeking aspects, of Edo period Japan (1600–1867). The Ukiyo culture developed in Yoshiwara, which was the licensed red-light district of Edo, now modern-day Tokyo. Yoshiwara was the site of many brothels frequented by Japan’s growing middle class. It didn’t take long before the Ukiyo culture appeared in other cities, such as Osaka and Kyoto.
During the Edo period, between 1615 and 1868, ukiyo-e prints were hugely popular and produced in their thousands. Ukiyo-e artists produced paintings and woodblock prints of all aspects of Japanese life from female beauties and geisha girls to kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers. Paintings would also include historical and mythological scenes, legendary heroes and heroines, city and countryside landscapes, flora, fauna, birds and animals as well as erotica.
Martial Arts of the Samurai Warrior
Many of the martial arts that gained popularity in medieval Japan originally came from China, where they were developed as a means for Buddhist monks to maintain their physical fitness and mental focus while meditating for extended periods. These practices also served as self-defense techniques in their daily lives.
Over time, these martial arts evolved to incorporate weapon skills and made their way to Japan during the feudal era, a time characterized by frequent warfare.
For instance, Kendo, which places a strong emphasis on swordsmanship, likely made its way to Japan as early as the seventh century AD. However, the Japanese adapted these martial arts to suit their own needs, incorporating their own weapons, techniques, and philosophical elements to cater to both military and spiritual aspects.
Starting from the tenth century AD and spanning throughout the medieval period (1185-1603 AD), Japanese soldiers, particularly the samurai, diligently honed their weapon and horsemanship skills. They did so in preparation for the challenges posed by the internal conflicts within Japan, as different warlords vied for control over various regions of the country.
The focus of this particular piece of art is the Samurai Warrior. The image, created by an unknown artist depicts ten Samurai warriors training in a variety of martial arts. Several of the martial art disciplines used by the Samurai are still practiced today and are familiar sports to millions of people. Karate, Aikido, Judo, and Kendo are terms most of us are familiar with. However, as this stunning woodblock image shows there were many more disciplines to master.
Medieval Samurai warriors often specialised in more than one martial art, and training organisations frequently focused on certain disciplines such as swordsmanship, horseback riding, or unarmed combat. However, the eighteen traditional martial arts or bugei juhappan as they were generally known was made up of the following disciplines: Kyudo/Kyujutsu – Archery, Mojiri – Barbed Personnel Abilities, Kusarigamajutsu – Slinging a Linked Sickle, Shurikenjutsu – Throwing Daggers, Kendo/Kenjutsu – Fencing/Swordsmanship, Teppo – Firearms Proficiency, Bajutsu – Cavalrymanship, Fukumibarijutsu – Spitting Needles, Naginata Jutsu – Polearm Abilities, Torite – Rope Abilities, Tanto – Abilities with a Short Sword, Ninjutsu – Spying, Bojutsu – Personnel Abilities, Sojutsu – Proficiency with a Spear, Suieiijutsu – Scuba Diving, Iaijutsu – Drawing a Sword, Jitte – Abilities with a Truncheon, Yawara – Judo/Jujutsu.
This print was the third panel in a triptych or set of three prints created to make up one continuous scene… a common application in Ukiyo-e art. It was produced in the first year of the Keio period dating it to the year 1865. We love the poster but we have, so far, been unable to track down the other two panels to complete the scene. However, this image is so cool, as intended it can stand alone as an impressive individual image.
We’d be fascinated to see the other two panels, so if you can guide us in the right direction, let us know. We’d also love to trnslate the text included on the image. Again, if you can help, get in touch.
What is a Samurai?
The Samurai, also known as “侍” in Japanese, were a hereditary warrior class and the officer caste in medieval and early-modern Japan. They held this status from the late 12th century until their abolition in the late 1870s, during the Meiji era. These warriors served as highly-paid loyalists to the daimyo, who were the powerful feudal landowners. The Samurai enjoyed a prestigious position in society and were granted special privileges due to their service.
The Samurai, often romanticised and revered as the epitome of Japanese martial prowess and honor, were a distinct class of warriors who played a pivotal role in Japan’s history for centuries. These elite warriors emerged during the feudal era, known as the Kamakura period (1185-1333 AD), and their legacy endured until the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century when Japan underwent a radical transformation.
Samurai, which means “those who serve,” were initially servants or retainers who served noble families and the emperor. However, over time, they evolved into a distinct social class with their own code of conduct and unique way of life known as Bushido, the “Way of the Warrior.” This code emphasized virtues such as loyalty, honor, courage, and self-discipline. Bushido was not just a set of rules; it was a way of living and dying with dignity.
One of the most iconic symbols of the Samurai is their distinctive armor and katana swords. The Samurai’s armor, or yoroi, was meticulously crafted, offering both protection and flexibility. The katana, on the other hand, was the embodiment of the Samurai’s soul. It was a weapon of exceptional craftsmanship, renowned for its sharpness and cutting ability. The Samurai were not only skilled swordsmen but also practiced archery, spearmanship, and various other martial arts.
In addition to their martial prowess, Samurai were deeply rooted in Japanese society and culture. They were not just warriors but also scholars, poets, and artists. They followed a strict hierarchical system, with the daimyo (feudal lords) at the top, followed by vassals and foot soldiers. Samurai families held considerable power and influence, often dictating the course of Japanese history.
As Japan transitioned into the modern era during the Meiji Restoration, the Samurai class was officially abolished, and their role as warriors came to an end. However, their legacy, the code of Bushido, and their enduring impact on Japanese culture, martial arts, and values continue to be celebrated and remembered to this day, making the Samurai an enduring symbol of honor and discipline.
