Key Characteristics Of Yamato Takeru's Legends Of The Samurai

The majority of resources we have regarding the samurai are myths and legends. They tend to exaggerate both the heroic as well as the faulty characteristics of the characters whom they describe. This helps them to get across messages about features that people should and should not seek to replicate; through this, these stories exemplify the key characteristics of the samurai to varying degrees. Four key qualities of the legendary Japanese warrior that are portrayed most strongly in Legends of the Samurai are appreciation of beauty, self-possession, alertness, and a tragic nature. The first of these qualities is perhaps the most surprising, largely due to our modern connotations with masculinity. Japanese warriors are described as strong, fierce, and often horrifically violent; however, they still have a large appreciation of …show more content…
Throughout his life, Yamato Takeru shows a notably harsh and violent nature; he shows, not remorse, but satisfaction with many murders that some would potentially describe as dishonorable, such as that of his older brother (4) or a man in a duel whom Takeru tricked into using a fake sword (6). One would typically expect a warrior with a nature as brutal as Yamato Takeru’s too lack understanding and appreciation of the more delicate details of life; however, such is not the case. Instead of ignoring or rejecting the beauty of his country and the arts, Takeru fully embraces them. He is a serial poet, crafting lyrics with a careful, soft approach that starkly contrasts his quick brutality with other people. He also sings, even singing his final song directly before his passing (11). Yamato Takeru thus devotes his last breaths to art, thereby emphasizing just how much he values beauty. Of course, Yamato Takeru is not the only case. The majority of legendary Japanese warriors too embraced beauty through the arts. For some warriors,