About the Haiku and Life of the Japanese Samurai Warrior : Bamboo Poems.
81Pride of appearence and style.
Common Battle Dress.
The Katana was the Samurai.
Changing times for a Samurai.
The Japanese Samurai were arguably the greatest warriors in modern history; living their entire life by the Code of Bushido; the samurai code of honor. About the Haiku and Life of the Japanese Samurai Warrior : Bamboo Poems; by Pearldiver gives a glimpse of another side of the state of being a Samurai. In feudal Japan, the country was effectively ruled by warlords (Diamyo) who independently served the Emperor, yet collectively served the emperor's choice of Shogun. The Shogun was the most powerful entity and was endorsed by the emperor as being the ultimate military leader; based on his ability to control, his background, courage, victories and strategic planning abilities.
Each Samurai was trained from birth to be a professional fighting unit; along with learning of culture, arts and social protocol. To be a Samurai, one could not be a landowner, unless they had reached the status of diamyo. Yet a Samurai held the power of life or death over landowners, villagers and subordinates. Being a Samurai was to be completely loyal to their leader (daimyo) and to pledge their life and lifetime to the achievement of the Daimyo's objectives.
Honor was paramount to a Samurai's life and as such; dishonor ultimately meant death; which was often self administered in a ceremony called Seppuku. The Samurai was required to 'open his belly' with his wakizashi; the shorter of the two swords that he carried. In this way, his death was as honorable as if he had died in battle.
If he was required to commit seppuku, the Samurai was able to have a friend decapitate him with his katana; the longer sword; if it was felt the pain was such that he cried out. To a Samurai, death in the service of his master was the ultimate act of honor. The Samurai's most prized possessions were his daisho (swords), his kabuto (battle helmet) and his personal body armor. Samurai's were known by their elaborate dress, strength of character and highly focused mastery of the martial arts.
When the Portuguese introduced the musket to warring factions in Japan; this single act brought about a complete change in the ethics of battle and heralded the end of those who refused to adapt to the new ways; which were though effective; regarded as being a less than honorable way of war.
Until muskets, Japanese development had been backed through the power of the sword and highly trained warriors. With the musket, even unskilled villagers could beat the best trained warriors in battle. War had become less personal and the old ways of the Samurai warriors were destined to take their place in history.
The Japanese love of the beauty of their surroundings was of equal importance to the men who devoted their lives to war. In peace times many samurai took up the arts, writing and teaching; to fill their time. Below are Haiku verse for aspects of life that may have applied to the many who found peace a time to reflect. Please..... Enjoy.
Status was worn throughout.
Thoughts of: Preparedness.
Bathed and top knot set
A head fragrant so not to offend;
The master of katana.
oooOooo
Shitabi, armor and daisho
May only seasons temper my wakizashi;
Death always within reach.
State your name and village.
Thoughts of: Battle.
Your name and village
Death honors all who meet my courage;
We each serve one outcome.
Ten thousand fight as one
Banners speak of fate; read the omen;
Blood red sky over these lands
A clash of different cultures.
Thoughts of: New change.
Foreigners come by sea
No devine wind will sink boats;
But that of change.
oooOooo
Strange western ways
That to bath; is not in style;
Yet speak of culture.
Kubuki: An act of no words.
Thoughts of Kabuki.
What role plays you snake
Kabuki treachery or enemy within;
Your presence felt always.
Peace times were hard for the samurai warriors.
Thoughts of: Future battles.
Oh times of peace
We long for the tanquility of war;
Stone gardens too complex.
oooOooo
Swift cold winds of change
All seasons now seem blended into one;
Katana be swifter than musket.
Okita of the tea house: Utamaru
Thoughts of: Okita.
I remember your smell
Heat and taste of carressing touch;
Okita; this tea so intense.
The tranquility of home scenes.
Thoughts of: Tenryu River.
Tears of distant hills
Blunt broken stones to unknown destiny;
Go; flow to your sea.
Friendship of one's peers.
Thoughts of: Honored friends.
Faces of good friends lost
Saki cries out; finishing jokes made;
In battle we laugh again.
oooOooo
I remember you Tanaka
Your kabuto worn again by a son;
Quick of mind, like you.
Solitary skills equal survival.
Thoughts of: Growing old.
Snow showers scar tired wings
Blue clouds draw strength of will no more;
Rise wings; above all storms.
oo0oo
Take me to a battle;
This growing old is far too tame
Samurai don't wait to die.
ooo0ooo
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Thank you for reading this work.
The greatest change in war.
The Portuguese in feudal Japan, came selling Christianity, Muskets and Trading Goods. Never again would the lives and deaths of the Samurai in warfare, be one of personally greeting their opponents in battle in an honorable face to face manner. The use of muskets meant that a traditional Samurai's opponent changed that long standing custom; with a musket ball fired from the distance, at an unknown and now disadvantaged warrior.
They said that a Samurai was as elegant as cherry blossom petals and in some ways, as fragile; in that it only took one a single storm to destroy the balance. That storm was the effect of change brought about by the power of the gun, over opponents who could not counter it's effectiveness, without giving up their honorable ways. Haiku was written extensively by the Japanese Samurai Warriors and it served as a release to men who were expected to maintain a stern order over others. The Samurai by social position alone; carried with him the power of life or death over his subordinates. The beauty of Japanese Haiku verse is emphasized within the writings of the old masters, many of whom lived and died as members of the Samurai Code. The Book of 5 Rings (available via clicking on the Amazon books below) is compulsory reading if you have a passion for this amazing warrior creed or are learning any Martial Art.
Thank you for reading this work and in that way allowing the spirit of the Samurai to live on.
Pearldiver.
An Opportunity to Learn and Earn:
If you have any articles you would like written and published professionally then contact the author above and discuss what is involved. Or even better; why don't you learn the skills of Online Writing by joining this site via the Link Here and you will also have the benefit of earning extra income if you write well. If you've never written before it doesn't matter; because once you have learnt how to write your articles properly; you will find that people from all over the world will be wanting to read your work. Learn to Write Today.
© Copyright 2009 - 2010 Pearldiver nzpol with all rights reserved.
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A Tribute to Japan: Courage: Beyond Tsunami Waves.
- A Tribute to Japan: Courage: Beyond Tsunami Waves
Blue silence defies Fishing boats no longer float Time and tide they say Tsunami tsunami waves Roaring thunder drowns life
More Haiku and Samurai Life.
- Haiku of the Pearldiver: A Collection of 58 Haiku Verses To Feel, Enjoy and Share.
In Haiku of the Pearldiver; A Collection of 58 Haiku Verses to Feel, Enjoy and Share; true poetic mastery is measured by the sensuality of those visual pictures that each Haiku verse paints for the reader. ...
Yuki - A Tribute to Japan - By Pearldiver. (Link is Above).
More Haiku by Pearldiver.
- Seasons of Haiku
In Haiku Poetry words are crafted to create a powerful and sensual image of the everyday things in the lives of the Japanese. Traditional Haiku emphasises that 17 Syllables only can be used to create that...
Other works by Peardiver.
- Father of Mine: Words I Did Not Tell You.
Being a father is truly a role that some men excel in and for whatever reason; some men do not. The art of fatherhood has no set measurement of love or of joy; it is weighed against what is positively learned...
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Hi Xtasis, Thank you, you are most welcome. Pleased you enjoyed a little bit of history. Take Care.
Pearldiver, you always bring your topics to life for me. I found I was remembering the old Shogun movie with Richard Chamberlain. You clarified so much for me. Thank you!
Hi Candie, Dr. Kildare eh? hahaha... Do you know how long ago that was? And now You have brought him back to life. Thanks for reading this Candie & your always positive comments. Wow... if I can do that with topics... I wonder...
I loved this, Pearldiver...the drama and the ceremony is really alluring. The Haiku and images were equally captivating. I so like Japanese drawings. So you really hooked me....Thanks so much.
hi Pearldiver,
i like your hub.It is quite informative.Good keep it up.
Hi Alekhouse, Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed this. Their lives were so structured and yet simple, so I too have always liked the old Japanese style and art. I'm sorry that I 'hooked' you on this... I usually do that with my fishing hubs. Thanks again for your positive input. Take Care.
Hi Clara, pleased you found it informative and enjoyed it. Thanks for checking my work out.. I will do the same with yours. Nice to meet you. Take Care.
Hmmm.... Pearldiver is that your katana under your cloak or are you just happy to see me? *giggles*
Hmmm Candie.... That is Not my Katana!
think i will go to work all day tomorrow easier than the forums what......... nice to see you any way great hub, what is a Katana if you don't mind me asking
Hi Brenda, Thanks for reading. A Katana is the longer of the two swords that were carried by the Samurai as his primary weapon. Take care Brenda, I appreciate your comments.
I really enjoyed reading this, Pearldiver. Thank you for this fascinating and informative hub! I've always have been intrigued by the ways of the samurai. Seven Samurai is on my Top Ten list...Akira Kurosawa was a gift to all of us.
Hi dohn, Appreciate your kind comments and I'm glad you enjoyed this work. Thank you for reading this. The Samurai and whole feudal system of the 15th and 16th centuries hold a fascination for me. There was so much change in their lives during this period along with times of peace which effectively heralded the end of these professional warriors.
i learned something today, thank you it was a good read.
Hi loveofnight, thanks for reading my work and your comment. I hope you learnt something from my site then; if so, I hope it was good lol. Good luck with your writing and welcome to HP. Take care.
I loved reading this Pearldiver! Beautiful. The haiku is wonderful to read. I'll always remember The Last Sumurai, such an amazing movie about these dedicated warriors.
Hi rebekahELLE, Thank you. Yes the film The Last Samurai was a pretty good movie that was filmed in New Zealand and depicted the emmense effects of change to feudal Japan. In that movie it all related to American carbine rifles, introduced many years after the muskets which the Portuguese had changed their world. Thanks for your kind comment, I'm glad you enjoyed this work. Take care.
Hi Art, Cheers for reading this work And your comment. Yep Phar Lap was a good one; bred and born here and adopted by the Aussis. Take care.
nice information. I learn much about samurai here.
Hello prasetio, Thank you for your comments. I'm pleased that you enjoyed this work. I enjoyed writing it and tried to cover a lot of information in this work. Take care.
beautiful hub - i loved the part about always being prepared, as well, before battle, being prepared for death, thanks, Kimberly
Hi Kimberly, Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your comment. The way of the Samurai is one of personal and collective discipline and understanding. We can all learn something from the way they lived. Take Care.
Pretty cool hub. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Cagsil, You're Welcome. Thanks for taking the time to ead this work. Take Care.
Pearldiver - Great Haiku writings, looking forward to more in your time, Bless the wind in your pen..
Hi Hmrjmr1, Thank you for taking the time to read this work and your kind comments. I look forward to reading your works in the near future. Take Care.
It's just too bad that the samurai is a thing of the past (I think?). We, especially the politicians :), would have learned a great deal from them and their code of honor.
Thanks for sharing the info PD. And thanks for the haiku. Where in Bumbletown did you learn to write such good haiku?
Hello Em, Thanks for reading this and your comment. Bushido: It was in many respects a code that called for total dedication excellence; so it wouldn't work for politicians. Where in BT did I learn? Bumble Town would have little appreciation of Haiku Em.. I taught myself. Take Care.
"Bushido: It was in many respects a code that called for total dedication excellence; so it wouldn't work for politicians." - I knew this would be your answer. Doesn't stop me from hoping that they commit hara-kiri when they do not achieve that excellence :). Would lessen the number of corrupt politicians that we have :P. :)
We have them too.. And Bumble Town movers and shakers (for what they're worth.. full of their own collective set of highly questionable anomalies).
Perhaps the next Bumble Town hub will show them in their true light Em? At least you can tax a certain amount of the corruption hahaha. It takes a great deal of courage to fall on your sword Em.
hi PD, you've got a nice hub here, I am from Asia, and who wouldnt love the katana---the samurai. I enjoyed the haiku verses too. Thanks so much for the added information and for a glimpse of Japans culture, Maita
Hello Prettydarkhouse, Thank you. This is a mixed bag hub. I wrote the Haiku first, but it didn't seem that I had enough content, so filled in the spaces, lol. Cheers for reading and appreciating this work. Take Care.
Wow! what an excellent Hub.
Thanks for the great information, and for the haiku. Nicely done.
Hi Shelly, Thanks for reading my work and for your comments. You also have interesting works, I hope you enjoy the beauty of Asia. Take care and have a great Xmas.
I've always had a fascination with the Samurai Warrior! So I thoroughly enjoyed the reading of this hub. You have a unique way of bringing your poetry to life via your words and pictures.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi MG, Thanks for reading this work. The samurai of ancient Japan lived by a relatively simple code which survived 1000 years and today is really only seen by the world via the martial arts. Every part of the 'being' is passed on including the mastery and time involved in making the katana in the exact manner as was practiced throughout time.
There is much to be fascinated by and learnt from the samurai and their history. Take care and have a great xmas MG.
Grovvie is a groovie word!
Hi Cathi, thanks for that and for passing on that G word. Take care.
Beautiful haikus, very well done - loved them all...
Hi Moulik, thank you for reading and enjoying this work. It has surprised me how much this Haiku is read lately.. it was my first attempt at writing Haiku. Take care.
Great hub! And beautiful haikus. I enjoyed this, thanks for sharing :)
Hi sophs, thank you for reading my work and for taking the time to comment on this. I'm glad you enjoyed this hub and look forward to reading your works. Take Care and be well.
This is a great hub, Pearldiver. The poetry as well as historical bits are very enjoyable. Thanks for publishing.
Hi Mythbuster, thanks for reading this hub my friend. I'm pleased that you called by as it has made me get back to reading the hubs of those that I follow. Hope all is well with you and I know you have alot of great reading in store for me. See you soon.. take care.
I love samurai topics and I have watched a few samurai films by Kurosawa...
Hi MM, thanks for taking the time to read this work. I hope you found the hub interesting. Take care and be well.
...very interesting, I used to watch movies (like Goemon..etc) or even anime (like Samurai X) about samurai, scary and brutal but their moves are fascinating..they can be bad,they can be good depending upon their masters I think?!!
Hi pinkhawk, thanks for taking the time to read my works and comment. Take care and be well.
Wow. Your haiku is beautiful.
Namaste.
Hi DD, thanks for reading these haiku. I'm glad you enjoyed this work. Take care and thanks again.
Beautiful image above. Love their art work of all forms.
Hi Maryanne.. how is the surf today? Thanks for reading this work. Traditional Japanese art is renowned for its simplicity of form, movement and beauty. Haiku alone is the simple creation of a moving mental picture in only a few well chosen words. Good luck with your articles. Take care.
Followed your link - great hub and thoroughly enjoyed the haikus. I have always had an interest in Asian artwork and martial arts and always admired your kabuto avatar.
Thanks for adding your links to the Koffee Klatch :D was awesome to see you there!
Hi Enelle, thanks for following the link to here. I'm glad that you enjoyed this work. I also have an interest in Asia and the amazing history and arts. Cheers for the opportunity @ Klatch, maybe we can grow it over the while. Take care Enelle.
Thanks for a unique Hub, pearldiver!
Hi Doc Snow, thanks for taking the time to read this unique hub. Glad you enjoyed it. Take Care.
This is a brilliant hub, well done...
Hi DarkDisOrder, thanks for taking the time to read this work and your kind comment. This is a very popular hub that gives an unexpected and accurate slant on the Samurai. Take Care.
Beautiful, thank you such beauty, I danced on your buttons this is truly a beauty. aloha
Hi Sa'ge, Thanks for taking the time to read these Haiku. I'm glad that you enjoyed the verses and appreciate your kind comments. Take Care.
I loved the poetry. Lets you into their minds on such a personal level. Like reading a diary in a way. Thanks
Hi SpringW, thanks for reading this haiku and historical look at the Samurai, who were expected to be well versed in haiku as much as martial arts. Take Care.
Beautiful hub. thanks
Your poems were extremly well writen. That was such an interesting reading.
Hi saif, thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this article. All the best.. glad you enjoyed my work.
@Writer:D - thanks very much. I appreciate your support. Take care.
Stunning!!!
Hello Scarface 1300, I hope your scars were earned on the battlefield. Glad you appreciate this article, it is very highly ranked and well read. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on it.. take care.
mr. pearldiver, your haikus dont follow the traditional form of haiku which is 5-7-5 syllables per stanza.
mr. alex... I don't believe I stated anywhere within this article that I was writing 'traditional' haiku! How disappointing that someone who is factually the first person to criticize this work out of well over 20,000 other readers, is so knowledgeable of the art that they were unaware that the plural of Haiku is Haiku and not haikus!
Sorry you found no value in my writing... I guess with all the Traditional BS in the world today.. it's bloody lucky that some of us can rise above it, write exactly the way we choose to successfully and still remain able entertain k'town cynics that seem to feel shortchanged by their own lack of significance! Thanks for your trivia mate!
Great response my friend. Love it!!! This answer alone is Voted UP and Awesome. ps/ This hub is highly ranked and well read for a reason. Rock on
Hi there Scarface, thanks I appreciate your compliment... yes, aren't we creative people lucky that the world is full of experts! Amazing... and some of them are so clever that they even leave their IP Addresses on their spammy posts, thinking that they are anonymous! How sad and tiresome that they feel a need to show us all what they are really short of!
XTASIS 2 years ago
Good haikus ! I enjoyed reading ! Thank you !