As I was reading our textbook, I was astonished at what I found regarding the Samurai and their experiences and views on death. In the training of becoming a Samurai, one had to develop a presumed affinity for death. They were taught that by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, they would be able to live as though their body was already dead. A major influence on this way of thinking and living was the sheer unpredictable nature of the land of Japan. Earthquakes were often and very dangerous, fires occasionally swept through cities destroying everything and everyone in their paths, and famine along with deadly illnesses were known to strike at any moment’s notice.
The most intriguing aspect of the Samurai’s death obsession was the practice known as Seppuku. Simply put, Seppuku is the act of slitting one’s own belly in an act of honorable suicide. Also known as Hara-Kiri, which literally means stomach cutting, was put into practice as a punishment or chosen as a preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of their enemy. To perform Seppuku on oneself showed undeniable honor, courage, and loyalty to their way of life. The practice required a certain ritual in which the person to perish was bathed and fed his favorite meal, then was required to write a death poem before killing themselves. Along with slitting their own stomach, a master swordsman would decapitate them so only a flap of skin kept the head on. No wonder the Samurai aren’t very popular today.
The Samurai in many ways had very little respect for human life, even that of his own. They were more interested in maintaining their honor, dignity and wining the battle than in the conservation of life, human rights, or anything else. I believe that its unfortunate that they couldn't find a positive way to influence man kind and society; their art of fighting is still a great form of self-defense and entertainment for a great deal of people around the world. I would have love to see Samurais from the 1600 practicing Tendai Buddhism, they would have been a much more passive people, and would have existed today.
ReplyDelete"Given enough time, any man may master the physical. With enough knowledge, any man may become wise. It is the true warrior who can master both....and surpass the result." - Tien T'ai
I too found this ritual unique and quite disturbing to say the least. In our western, Christian-Judeo society suicide is considered taboo and rejected as hbeing onorable under any circumstances. The samurai belief system acted as the foundation for the Kamikaze pilots in World War II. Translated from the Kamikaze pilot’s manual:
ReplyDelete“Transcend life and death. When you eliminate all thoughts about life and death, you will be able to totally disregard your earthly life. This will also enable you to concentrate your attention on eradicating the enemy with unwavering determination, meanwhile reinforcing your excellence in flight skills.”
Both Samurai and Kamikaze warriors knew at a very young age that honor and respect were to be required of them and if need be, they knew that it was better to willfully take one's own life than to be killed unwillingly by another man.