HIST 498/598 Samurai and War

Course Description

Japan's warrior class (the bushi, the samurai), which enjoyed a continuous social existence for around 1000 years, also helped to define the politics and culture of Japan for around 700 of those years (1150s-1860s).

The warrior class was never a monolithic entity, and changed over time. Initially it was a provincial office- and land-holding local elite, and began to play an increasingly dominant role in national life from the 1150s. The long-term existence of the samurai class is a distinct and distinguishing feature of Japanese history. Also of note when we survey the role of the samurai is that their influence, and dominance, occurred in times of peace as well as times of warfare. In fact, for most of the 700 years of warrior prominence and dominance Japan was at peace.

This course will examine the rise of the warrior class from the 1150s, and its activities during the period (1330s-1600) when warfare was a significant phenomenon in Japanese society, and when samurai could expect to be engaged in fighting during their lives (actual endemic warfare i.e. a more or less continuous state of affairs, was restricted to the mid-1300s, and to the "Age of Warring States, 1460s-1590s). This broader period, sometimes called the medieval, is distinguished from the preceding and following periods by its fluidity, dynamic social change, lack of any centralized or dominant political and cultural orthodoxies, and the phenomenon of war.

While we shall be focussing on the samurai and on warfare, we shall not overlook the activities - such as governing, maintenance of legal systems - that made the samurai more than simply warriors.

Course Policies

One mid-term exam (30%), a quiz (20%), attendance (10%), one 3500 word essay (40%). The essay is due no later than March 05. Late submission without good reason may be penalized (the demands of other courses do not constitute a reason). Quiz and exam study guides will be provided.

Required Texts

S. Turnbull, The Samurai Sourcebook.
H. P. Varley, Warriors of Japan.

A number of works have been placed on reserve in the Reserve Reading Room of the Knight Library. They are designed to supplement your reading on topics, and to serve as resources when considering your term paper. Please refer also to the readings noted below.

Course Schedule