“Tenno Heika Banzai!” roughly translated to “long live Emperor [Hirohito],” was the famous celebratory WWII battle cry yelled by Japanese troops when they stormed into enemy lines (Tanaka). During the late 1930s, Japanese government became increasingly belligerent, which led to Japan’s entrance into WWII. Ultimately, desperate measures were taken and imperial aggression revived samurai military traditions ("World War II (1939–1945)"). The value of death before dishonor and contempt for defeat motivated soldiers to ruthlessly defend Japan (Deal). During October of 1944 towards the closing stages of WWII, the Japanese launched suicide missions as a desperate measure, and a large majority of young men voluntarily joined in this piece of the fight
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They were members of a powerful military caste and servants of great lords known as daimyos ("The Age of the Samurai: 1185-1868"). Until the Meiji Restoration of 1868, during which the Japanese feudal system was abolished and a centralized bureaucratic government rose, the samurai maintained control from the Kamakura to the Tokugawa period ("Samurai Essay"). During the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan was in a period of peace and prosperity for 250 years and samurai were able to form a traditional code of honor, known as bushido, or “the way of the warrior” As samurai governed local governments and through civil means as well as the Japanese armed forces, they “emphasized military skills and fearlessness in the face of an enemy” (Staff, "Samurai and Bushido"). Shinto, the state religion of Japan and bushido were adopted into the basic code of conduct for Japanese society and influenced its militaristic decisions even in …show more content…
Because they were frequently involved in battle, they learned to value loyalty, discipline, bravery, and to be aware of the transience of their life as warriors (Forquer). Pressured “to maintain their wealth and position, [they also] needed political, financial, and cultural acumen” ("Samurai Essay"). Focusing on loyalty to their lord and bringing honor to their families, warriors were expected to “demonstrate unwavering fidelity” (Takatsuka). Their love for their families, filial piety, and dedication to Japan were strongly coincided with Confucian principles. Samurai held a strong sense of responsibility to conduct themselves in a proper manner that would affect their family reputation and their daimyo’s social and political status. The concept of “collective prestige or disgrace” indicated that they had to constantly uphold allegiances to their whole household or clan. For that reason, samurai were linked through bonds of service and would be subject to harsh punishment if they brought any shame or dishonor to their families (Tanaka). Central aspects of the bushido code revolved around demonstrating duty and displaying physical and moral strength, which constructed the unique view of death as an honorable and glorious occasion for men to sustain respect and honor within their ancestral line. The philosophies from samurai
They were members of a powerful military caste and servants of great lords known as daimyos ("The Age of the Samurai: 1185-1868"). Until the Meiji Restoration of 1868, during which the Japanese feudal system was abolished and a centralized bureaucratic government rose, the samurai maintained control from the Kamakura to the Tokugawa period ("Samurai Essay"). During the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan was in a period of peace and prosperity for 250 years and samurai were able to form a traditional code of honor, known as bushido, or “the way of the warrior” As samurai governed local governments and through civil means as well as the Japanese armed forces, they “emphasized military skills and fearlessness in the face of an enemy” (Staff, "Samurai and Bushido"). Shinto, the state religion of Japan and bushido were adopted into the basic code of conduct for Japanese society and influenced its militaristic decisions even in …show more content…
Because they were frequently involved in battle, they learned to value loyalty, discipline, bravery, and to be aware of the transience of their life as warriors (Forquer). Pressured “to maintain their wealth and position, [they also] needed political, financial, and cultural acumen” ("Samurai Essay"). Focusing on loyalty to their lord and bringing honor to their families, warriors were expected to “demonstrate unwavering fidelity” (Takatsuka). Their love for their families, filial piety, and dedication to Japan were strongly coincided with Confucian principles. Samurai held a strong sense of responsibility to conduct themselves in a proper manner that would affect their family reputation and their daimyo’s social and political status. The concept of “collective prestige or disgrace” indicated that they had to constantly uphold allegiances to their whole household or clan. For that reason, samurai were linked through bonds of service and would be subject to harsh punishment if they brought any shame or dishonor to their families (Tanaka). Central aspects of the bushido code revolved around demonstrating duty and displaying physical and moral strength, which constructed the unique view of death as an honorable and glorious occasion for men to sustain respect and honor within their ancestral line. The philosophies from samurai