Mighty samurai – lethal with a katana, bow, or naginata (a stick with a blade at the end), disciplined in all things, devoted to their cause. Although the samurai warrior class had been officially disbanded since the 1870s, echoes of this warrior's sense of responsibility and their bushido code can still be seen in Japan (and elsewhere) today. Becoming like a modern-day samurai isn't easy, but with discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, you can begin to live up to the samurai's virtues and develop your talents and use them for good.
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Method 1 of 3: Living like a Samurai
Step 1. Practice gi (integrity)
Traditionally, samurai lived according to a code of morals and ethics known as bushido. Even though the samurai are gone, the core virtues of the bushido code still represent the honorable and moral life it is possible to follow today. The first virtue is integrity. A samurai always tries to do the right thing, even (and especially) when it's difficult. When faced with a difficult decision, the samurai chooses the path that is best for the greater good – even though it may not be the best for him.
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Modern example:
Kate accidentally made a mistake when applying for college through online media: instead of giving her correct school grade average of 3.5, she unknowingly typed 3. 9. Kate later realized her mistake, but that was after she had submitted the application documents. Even though the mistake made him seem like the better candidate and he was pretty sure it wouldn't be caught, he still emailed the registration department to make sure he got a fair assessment and to maintain his honor.
Step 2. Practice yuuki (courage)
Samurai didn't run away from difficult (impossible though) tasks. Even in the face of precarious and impossible situations, they put on a tough face and do their best to carry out their duties. Note that this does not mean that the samurai were never afraid. Everyone can be afraid. However, when the samurai were afraid, they still did their best to complete the given task.
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Modern example:
Joe dreaded returning to the football field after half-time – his team lost by four goals, the opposing team's players insulted him after every goal, and he knew the coach would embarrass him in the dressing room for his first half miss. After a brief moment of reflection, Joe returned to the court with his head held high – in his mind, his goal now was to make the best possible result in the second half despite the fears and difficult opportunities he faced.
Step 3. Practice jinn (kindness; generosity)
Although samurai are now remembered primarily for their fierceness on the battlefield, in everyday life, they were anything but fierce. The ideal samurai was a warm (though always dignified) companion to friends, family, and strangers, treating those he met with love and compassion. Today, you can follow the virtues of the jinn by doing your best to live a life full of goodness – even when dealing with people who may not deserve it.
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Modern example:
The new kid at school, everyone thought, was a freak – he didn't talk to anyone, he didn't seem to have good personal hygiene, and he got nervous whenever he spoke in front of other people. Shawn saw him sitting alone in the cafeteria and decided to sit next to him and try to start a conversation. Whether he turns out to be a good kid who's just shy or just as weird as people say he is, he still deserves the same attention that Shawn gives the rest of his friends.
Step 4. Practice rei (politeness; etiquette)
Believe it or not, samurai strive to be perfect men in everyday interactions just as they strive to be deadly warriors on the battlefield. This virtue differs from jinn (kindness) in that it describes a set of behavior and social customs that were considered "courtesy" in Japan at that time. Even though it's now impractical to participate in tea ceremonies from feudal Japan, for example, you can still practice rei by acting in accordance with the notions of decency and etiquette for civilized men and women.
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Modern example:
For some reason, the old cashier at the grocery store didn't like Kim. Every time Kim walked into her checkout line, she pouted and said nothing more than "Would you like something else?" Kim wasn't sure if the old cashier didn't like her appearance, if she had said something she didn't approve of in the past, or if the matter was something else entirely, but Kim decided to greet her with a smile and polite words every day. Perhaps, one day, the old cashier would finally learn to give him the same treatment.
Step 5. Practice makoto (honesty)
A samurai was expected to be honest at all times in both word and deed. The bushido code dictates that he must always tell the truth, must not lie even once, and must not intentionally act fraudulently or deceive others. Doing this shows respect for the laws of the universe and the universe has never been dishonest, neither should a samurai.
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Modern example:
After work, one of Sandeep's office mates said that he would receive a call from his girlfriend, who had already met Sandeep. He asks Sandeep to say that they both went to the bar for drinks the night before and stay there till the bar closes. Sandeep, who was at home that night with his family, apologized and politely declined. His friends get frustrated, but Sandeep doesn't give up – he wouldn't lie on purpose, especially not to help someone get away with something immoral.
Step 6. Practice meiyo (honor)
A samurai upholds his honor almost above all else, sometimes even his own life. A lifetime the samurai made an effort to be admired and praised for his strength, competence and virtue. Disgrace was usually unquestionable: when in a position where he faced major failure (such as losing an important battle for the daimyo, his master), it was not uncommon for the samurai to commit suicide by seppuku (ritual evisceration) in order to restore his honor. Although practices like seppuku are extreme in the modern world, people who want to live like samurai must be fully aware of how their way of life affects their own honor and reputation.
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Modern example:
While returning from college one day, Isabella finds an invitation to a costume party at a prestigious student society she's been wanting to join for a long time. Although he was initially excited, his hopes were suddenly dashed when he saw that the party organizer chose an inappropriate racial theme for the party. Even though she was eager to make her breakthrough into the prestigious campus community, Isabella decided to skip the party and opt for another party at a less prestigious society – she would never want her reputation tarnished by being associated with such trash.
Step 7. Practice chugi (loyalty)
A samurai is nothing if he is disloyal to their lord, clan and subject. A samurai was expected to follow the orders of the daimyo with absolute obedience. The samurai even entered into a "blood contract" with their daimyo which contained an oath of allegiance to their entire lineage to their master's lineage. Although, again, extreme loyalty like this has no place in the modern era, but practicing chuugi can still be done by staying by the side of the people in your life who are your obligations in difficult times, such as friends, family, and loved ones. -people who depend on you.
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Modern example:
Tim and his son have always had a difficult relationship. Whenever Tim tries to help his son make the right decisions in life, the two always seem to end up in a heated argument. Now, his son is about to marry a woman Tim doesn't care about at all. Despite his extreme objections, Tim decides to be by his son's side on his wedding day – he is his son, and Tim will love him no matter what.
Method 2 of 3: Look like a Samurai
Step 1. Put on the traditional samurai armor
Whether your goal is to create samurai armor with pinpoint accuracy or just looking for a great idea for a costume party, knowing the parts of samurai armor will help give you an idea of what you need to look for. The most important parts of the samurai armor are:
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Do:
Chest plate made of iron and/or leather. In later centuries, it was common for samurai to wear European-style armor as it provided better protection against rifle fire.
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Kusazuri:
Iron or leather plates hang from the waist like a skirt to protect the waist and upper legs.
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Sodes:
The shoulder pads are made of iron plate or leather.
- If you're looking for authentic Japanese armor, check out sites that sell antique or remanufactured armor. - Careful; These rare collectibles can be very expensive.
- On the other hand, if you're just looking for a costume, it's probably easiest to sew or glue a thin sheet of metal to an old, sturdy shirt. For more details, you can see the article on how to make armor costumes.
Step 2. Put on the Kabuto helmet
His distinctive samurai helmet instantly set him apart from those around him on the battlefield. Characteristic of a samurai helmet it has a face covering with a decorative crest on the front, and the sides of the helmet (called shikoro) that run down from the edge of the helmet to the samurai's neck in rows of braided metal pieces designed to protect the samurai's neck. Helmets generally also have a small hole at the top for the samurai hair "pigtail".
If you're making your own helmet, it's a good idea to start with your old cycling helmet as a base. Coat the helmet with paper pulp, then paint it a fierce color like black, red, brown, or bronze. Cut a decorative emblem out of cardboard or sheet metal and stick it on the front. Finally, cut a thin piece of paper or metal and then hang it on the back and sides of the helmet in a semi-circle
Step 3. Put on a fierce iron mempo mask
Imagine the terror of enemy samurai when they turn to look at the face of their attacker and stare cold eyes at the frozen iron face with angry grins! Generally samurai wear masks in war not only to protect the face and neck but also to intimidate the enemy, it is not uncommon for samurai mempo masks to be made in a frightening shape like a growling demon.
While mempo masks are usually made of metal or leather, you can make your own from plaster. Just wear it around your neck and chin up to your cheeks, and paint it the same color as your armor once it dries. For more details, please read the article entitled How to Make a Plaster Mask
Step 4. Have clothes that are not used for combat
Outside of combat, samurai often wore traditional clothing consisting of a kimono (a robe we are now familiar with) and a hakama. Hakama are a type of trousers that hang loosely from the legs and are worn over the kimono. The hakama is fastened in a knot tied at the waist and usually has five folds at the front: three on the right and two on the left.
- Although kimonos and hakamas are not sold in modern clothing stores, it is usually not difficult to find them online by simply browsing retail sites such as Amazon and Ebay for transactions.
- See this guide for instructions on how to tie a hakama.
Step 5. Get the samurai chonmage hairstyle
Samurai men usually had long hair which they styled in tight pigtails on top of their heads. Sometimes these pigtails are tied with decorative cloth or ribbon, although the most common is a simple rope. For steps on how to tie your hair in a similar modern style, see the article on how to make pigtails on top of your head.
If you're really serious about getting a samurai look, try shaving off the top of your head and leaving only the hair on the sides and back of your head, which you can then tie into small pigtails. This hairstyle was once a symbol of high status in Japanese society, but wearing it today requires a lot of confidence
Method 3 of 3: Fight like a Samurai
Step 1. Fight only for noble causes
Legendary samurai such as Minamoto Tametomo, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and others earned their reputations as strong, fearless, and cunning warriors through years of excellence on the battlefield. However, this advantage was never obtained at the expense of the honor of a samurai. Samurai never tarnished their reputation (or, more importantly, the reputation of those to whom they were loyal) by using great power for cowardly, selfish, or humiliating reasons. Below are some examples of when to fight and when not to fight.
- Reason good for a samurai to fight:
- Protecting innocent people from harm
- Trying to prevent a dangerous situation from occurring
- Defending the honor of a friend or family member
- Reason bad for a samurai to fight:
- Beating up people to get their money
- Beating someone to make him feel better
- Choosing to fight for revenge and petty humiliation
Step 2. Condition your body
To be able to fight like a samurai, you have to start reaching the basics of strength and endurance. Samurai couldn't fight to defend loved ones if they were too weak or unfit to challenge. Ideally, the samurai should practice good physical fitness, exercising at least a few times per week to build muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. In addition, the samurai had to strictly monitor the diet and try to get a lean but strong physique.
- For a complete fitness guide, see the article on how to exercise. You'll get aerobic exercise tips, strength-building routines, and more.
- For diet tips, see the article on how to diet. In general, aspiring samurai will eat a diet rich in protein, whole grains, and healthy fats while maintaining a caloric intake that will put them in the right direction for a lean physique.
Step 3. Learn martial arts
The ideal samurai does not need weapons to fight – when needed, he will be willing and able to fight armed and armored foes barehanded. Learning martial arts will make you a formidable opponent even when unarmed. In addition, the inner strength and self-discipline you develop from trying to excel in fighting style will benefit you in difficult and dangerous situations.
- Traditionally, samurai were expected to learn the form of martial art now known as jiu jitsu as part of their training. This fighting style emphasizes throwing, wrestling, and knocking down opponents, allowing the samurai to effectively defeat enemies with armor that punches and kicks would otherwise be ineffective against.
- Today, apart from jiu jitsu, many martial arts from various cultures around the world are available for those who wish to learn them. Among others:
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- Taekwondo
- Krav Maga
- Judo
Step 4. Consider learning to fight with traditional samurai weapons
Samurai are adept assassins with various weapons. These include the naginata, which is a long spear with a curved blade tip, the bow, and the famous katana sword. While these weapons may be ineffective (or at least impractical) in modern times, you can still learn how to use them for ceremonial or traditional purposes.
- An excellent resource for those wanting to know about naginata is the U. S. website. Naginata Federation. This site has information on various naginata fighting styles as well as a directory of links to the web pages of various regional naginata associations.
- The Japanese art of archery is called kyudo. A good place to start learning about kyudo is the International Kyudo Federation website. Here, you will find information on equipment, techniques, events and seminars, and more.
- Unfortunately, in most Western countries, it is easier to find an organization dedicated to European sword fighting than an organization centered on the katana. Some regional organizations are the best bet for those living in America and Canada, try starting with the Classic Katana Owners of North America website.
Step 5. Alternatively, learn how to fight with modern weapons
The modern battlefield with its prevalence of firearms, artillery, air power, and many other modern inventions is very different from the familiar feudal Japanese warriors, traditional samurai weapons are not always effective today. However, modern samurai can still carry out the devotion and focus of past samurai by learning how to fight with modern weapons.
- Unfortunately, the topic of how to fight in the modern world is too broad for the scope of this article. However, in terms of weapons, it is important to make it clear that you no It is okay to buy or start carrying weapons until you are absolutely sure that you can use and store them safely (and have the necessary legal certificates for that).
- Seriously want to learn how to fight in the modern era? Try joining the armed forces or the national guard. Here, you'll learn the latest tactics for how to function effectively on the modern battlefield, including how to use and maintain firearms.
Step 6. Fight without fear of losing
It is said that the most respected samurai warriors fought as if they were dead, so they fought without fear because to them it made no difference whether they lived or died in battle. Now, having little respect for one's own life is not considered wise or noble. However, you can still apply the spirit of this samurai principle by fighting without fear of the possible consequences. In other words, when fighting, try not to worry about imminent danger to yourself or possible failure. Instead, focus totally on your goal: winning.
Of course this only applies when you are fighting for a noble cause. This suggestion no intended to encourage aspiring samurai to not respect the laws or fundamental principles of public morality.
Tips
- Remember you don't have to be a man to be a samurai! Although almost all samurai in history were male, female knights called onna-musha exist in both historical and literary records such as Heike Monogatari.
- Honor is the first step on the road to a good samurai. Always think about how your actions will affect how others perceive you and do your best to never act in a way that will make you appear immoral, cheap, cowardly, or "bad."
- If you want to learn more about the samurai lifestyle, try doing some independent research using the available books, articles, websites. Tsunetomo Yamamoto's book Bushido: The Way of the Samurai, for example, is available in print and electronic form at a fairly low price.
