Why does it seem that so many people here think that Samurais werer the best warriors?

Question

I really dont see how they can be so ignorant.. Samurais came at a time where the rest of the world was using guns they were far behind technologically for the time.. their swords are nothing but larger versions of Ginsue knives good for sword to sword combat, but could never cut through a shield.. what a myth.. and as for their marital arts.. i would love to see what Karate could do compared to lets say a Spartan Mixed martial artist. They were brave.. but to be a warior that is standard... any good warior worth mentioning isnt afraid to die, and there are many worth mentioning.. As for their code... the only thing they shoudl be praised for .. was similar to chivalry.. but nothing that would add to their prowess as wariors, just commendalbe for its own sake. I really dont see how these warriors who never really faought enayone other than themselves who were admired becuase they were an anachronism (technologically behind ) are considered the greatest???But what do you think?

Answer 1

You may want to look up my very first blog on my 360.

Don't listen to most of people. In fact I won't raise a brow if all of them get wrong infos just like as you did.

Only few facts that I see here that are correct are:

-The sword aren't design to clash

-Samurai has been around long before guns

-They're good with sword

And few more.

Basically you're better off pick up some books and do researches of your own. Don't even trust your high school teacher either.

Oh and btw here's a little known fact:
There's actually a few weapons that are design to make shield useless or even cut them. But no samurai doesn't use any of those weapons.

Answer 2

Just because Spartans were stronger than their neighbours doesnt mean squat internationally. Why don't we ask '300 Athenian triremes vs. 300 American battleships' sure, Athenian navy was the strongest in the Mediterranean, so that means that 300 triremes can defeat 300 german U-boats. These questions make 90% of the people answering look unintelligent.

People also need to stop talking about Sparta as if it was the center for cultural improvement, they were an oligarchy ruled by two kings. They also had no MMA, considering martial arts were almost entirely out of Asia. Greek MMA would be, wrestling, and punching, how advanced. If you want to type of something impressive from Greek civilization talk about the lasting impression of Periklean building projects within Athens on the modern world. Back to AHCLGreece 101 for you all. Also I hope no Japanese see how ignorant everyone on yahoo can be to other cultures, except ones that are put on a pedestal by western society.

Answer 3

I think you're opening statement shows your knowledge of history..

"I really dont see how they can be so ignorant.. Samurais came at a time where the rest of the world was using guns they were far behind technologically for the time"

See Samurai were around long before the advent of the firearm.. (although they were not before the advent of gun powder.. I give you that)

Also.. They were far AHEAD of military technology of the time. Their armor was superior to other armor of the time for many reasons. Mostly because of the "woven" method they incorporated which allowed much greater freedom of movement, but which also created a hard to penetrate shell and dicipated impact. Their strategy's were far advanced. Which is why to this day military's still study eastern books of war instruction which have been outdated for hundred's of years. Their theories were hundreds of years ahead of their time. The weaponry (all their bladed weaponry) was also extremely advanced. Some of this was due to the natural metals found on the island. The mahagane was a combination of iron and steel that was only found in Japan. It was most likely fused during volcanic erupations and was plentiful along the shorelines. It was only found in very small pieces. The forgers took this metal and learned to dual temper a sword. Forging the blade side at close to 1500 degree and forgind the "body" of the blade at close to 700 degrees (thanks to clay also found on the island) creating a weapon that both kept an extremely sharp edge but was also hard to break and could "give" under pressure. Sword makers also created different swords for fighting in different regions. When fighting in northern China they mixed in metals indigenous to the region. They realized quickly that their swords were "fracturing" because of the quick temperature change between the freezing weather and the warmth of the body during a cut.

Why would I think that a samurai was a superior warrior? All of the debateable issues aside. Most impressions of "samurai" are very wrong. They were humble and had an attitude of service. They served EVERYONE that was in their presence, almost to a spiritual fault. They were MORE than just warriors, they were also men of integrity and tenderness. They spent as much time writing poetry, playing music, appreciating art, appreciating nature, in general enjoying and appreciating life, as they did appreciating their sword and learning to fight.

The love of the samurai is their trademark. The whole country still mourns the loss of this way of life and of these people. They honor them and their memories to this day. They are considered national heros, and their weapons national treasures. We love our heroes and our folklore, but last I checked. Wyatt Earp's gun wasn't a national treasure, I don't think George Washington's pistol is enshrined anywhere (might be wrong.) However, ALL Authentic Samurai swords are considered national treasure. Today you'd be hard pressed to get one of these weapons out of the country, and they're trying to bring them all back. It's not their ability to fight that made them great (although they were great fighters) It's the love of the people that they earned and honored that made them great. And that my friend, is why 300 Spartan's will never turn as many heads as a single Samurai.

Answer 4

You have a point about gun warfare and samuaris as seen in the movie The Last Samuari. Yes guns were later but when they did eventually come much more superior. Another point is that Japan is on an island and very secluded from the rest of Asia and Europe. To say there Samuari warriors are much more superior is false. I dont recall Japan conquerioring all of asia or Europe? In my eyes vs a spartan. khan or roman or any other warrior the outcome could go either way. And for the their code, that was just an honerable thing they did to show respect and loyalty. Killing them selves is nothing to be proud of... usally killed themself when they did something they werent supposed to.
Its kinda reminds me when i was in middle school and my hiistory book said something along the lines of this...
The indian bow and arrow was much more superior than the rifle... I remeber laughing my *** off in middle school.

We must be culturtally sensitive to all nations warriors... LOL!

Answer 5

Let me guess, You just saw that 300 movie and now Spartans are all the rage. It's good to be proud of your heritage, but if you know anythign about Japanese people they also have a code. Watch MMA those people will fight until they died, when you grow a little you will realize there is no real winners in warfare. And when you study the reality of it, it is the side with the superior weapons that wins most of the time.

Answer 6

To be perfectly honest the Samurai were as respected as Knights would be in England. The samurai were greatly respected warriors and were around way before guns. In fact the first Samurai-type warrior were around when Japan was created. According to Japanese folk-lore the sun goddess Amaterasu gave the first Emperor of Japan the Kusinagi. It was a katana that was said to have controlled the wind itself. This was used to fight off the warriors that were after him. Also Samurai used more than just katanas. They were also skilled with spears, bows, and naginatas.

Answer 7

OK, first You should do some research. These Guys were not behind when they started.... They were the BEST. Someone had to find Ninjas to even mess with these guys. And they didn't sneak up on You in the Dark, they came at You straight. Then one day guns Were invented and then brought to Japan. And of course, like the story goes they were defeated. But, until then, for 1,000 years they had been unbeatable, and if guns had not been invented, they would still be fighting with Ninjas.

Answer 8

If I had to choose any warrior from history to protect me I would choose a US Navy SEAL.
Samurais are OK. It sounds like you really need to do more historical research on Samurai. You are getting your facts wrong. Samurai never studied karate. Samurai existed prior to widespread firearms, they just happen to maintain their rule into the age of firearms. Ginsue knives are serrated, katana are not. You need to hit the history books my friend. Also, it was their code of honor that made them interesting to me. Did the Spartans have an honor code? Do you know what happen to their civilization? Japan still exists today, does Sparta?

Answer 9

i think you have it slightly wrong...samuria's were around before the gun was widely used, it was the era of the gun that ended the samuria...

samuria, even had their own version of a hand held cannon or gun, but it was their swords that gave them the most notirity...

a samuria sword is the strongest most intricate sowrd of its time, even by todays standards...its a piece of metal forged of the best steel of its day, and folded over 8 million times in the process of creating it...making it have an incredibly strong edge...

and then unlike most other great warriors, the samuria code also included the practice of suicide if having caused disrespect, to themselves our their lord...that is a pretty fanatical process...

Answer 10

Your incorrect, Samarai came along about 1000 years before guns and there were very good with there swords and also experts with the bow. They were at the top or near the top in there time.