The medieval Japan was an archipelago of four islands: Kyūshū, Honshū, Shikoku and Hokkaidō. Cut rest of the world, it was thus discovered only relatively late.

Japan, at its beginnings, was populated little. The populations were mainly on the Littoral and lived in majority of fishing. They discovered tardily the culture of the Riz.

The medieval era of Japan arrives well later that in Europe, towards 1350.

Organization of the kingdoms

Medieval Japan was not a plain country: various clans (often several by island), directed by lords, asserted the capacity; what involved frequent combat, and even wars built around alliances (transitory) between the clans.

A lord managed a province and had his castle, his peasants (equivalent of the European Serfs) and his army. The armies were made up simple soldiers, the Ashigarus, handling lances and sabers. The lords had especially a continuation of Samurai, equipped with a tunic of combat and a tunic of the every day. They had sworn fidelity with their lord and had a perfect command of their weapons. They were also bound by a code of honor.

One counts also Ninja S, assassins quiet with the service of highest offerer.

Weapons and armours

The armor S were made of Bambou braided on plates of wood stuffed of Coton and reinforced by metal. The warriors had a round helmet flanked of plates of braided bamboo. On the other hand, the protect-tibiae and protect-wrists were metal. They carried to the size a Tassette made as the remainder of the armor. The Japanese always carried Sandale S in straw or wood. It is also them which invented the Tabi, the ancestor of the Socquette. The samurais carried an armor identical to that of the ashigarus, except for their helmet decorated with a gilded plate bearing their name. They also had a Cimier out of metal of various forms (horns, growing…)

The long Saber, or Katana, was made like all the steel sabers by the method of the Haut-fourneau. It was used to launch long attacks and effective answers. It was 70 cm long.

The Wakizashi, or sabers short, was light and could be used quickly. It was 35 cm long.

Hero

Both larger samurai of the time were Musashi Miyamoto and Kojirō Sasaki. They were friendly until the day when Sasaki became the Yojimbo (bodyguard) of a nearby lord. This last declared the war with the lord of Musashi. During a battle, Sasaki and Musashi were ruèrent above, under blows violent ones and mad. The two warriors had followed same martial teaching, the combat was made equal footing. Sasaki have the advantage, and succeed in wounding Musashi with the cheek and the shoulder. Musashi pushed a cry which cause a drop in to him its guard. Sasaki benefitted from it and a wild kick struck to him, sending it to ground.

Sasaki was about to carry help to his/her former friend when Musashi was raised and struck three Sasaki times. This last had the cut drill plate. Then Musashi was carried in a terrible rage and struck Sasaki which skilfully managed to avoid the blows. During the combat, Musashi lost much blood and collapsed, exhausted. Sasaki felt to assemble the victory in him and Musashi returned its last breath. Sasaki, ashamed of having killed his/her ex-friend, was made Seppuku. Thus the history of Musashi Miyamoto and Kojirō Sasaki finishes.

Vestimentary practices

The Japanese had an established vestimentary code bie. The men carried long jackets, matabikis (pants) and socks in Soie, the tabi, without forgetting Geitas, the traditional sandals. The women got dressed with evening gowns and broad belts in bow tie. The samurai always do not remain in behavior of combatant. He carry a silk tunic, and very long and very broad pants. The hairstyles of the men are attached behind. The samurai have a small feather bed divided behind, and, when it is cut, they must be exiled until their hair pushes back. The women carry a chignon.

Religion

The Japanese basic religion was the Shintoïsme: its followers think that nature it even has a heart. Then the Bouddhisme was introduced in Japan and became the principal religion of the archipelago.

Great men

August 1st

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