A Study on the Connection between Samurai Tradition and Japanese Imperialism

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between Japan’s samurai (侍) tradition and imperialistic aspiration. The samurai tradition, which originated in Japan’s Shintoism, was derived from ancient Korean Shinkyo’s Nanga thought (郎家思想). Samurai are descended from the ancient Korean Shinto tradition of Samshirang (三侍郞), which was revealed to worship of three gods. The samurai tradition promotes Japanese nationalism and has ties to collectivism and emperor veneration. In addition to the deification of the Japanese emperor, samurai and sanctuaries with religious functions were used as imperial expansion tools. Beginning with the samurai administration of the Kamakura Shogunate (鎌倉幕府) in 1185, the samurai tradition, which stresses strict command, obedience, and collectivism, dominated Japanese society for seven hundred years. Long samurai rule had profound influences on Japanese society’s order, hierarchy, groups, honor, collectivism, and identity. The Meiji government, a modern system that began with the end of the samurai regime, elevated the Japanese emperor to the status of a divine being and a living deity, recognizing obedience and worship as a natural obligation. As a means of expanding Japanese imperialism, the samurai spirit with the deified Japanese emperors as the center pawned suicide commandos such as the kamikaze (神風), which can be considered the modern concept of samurai, and the ‘human torpedo’, kaiten (回天). Japan continues to demand constitutional amendments to the ‘Peace Constitution,’ which was enacted as a result of its defeat in World War II, and mandates visits to the Yasukuni Shinsa, which enshrines war criminals and high-ranking Japanese government officials. Neighboring nations may perceive Japan’s actions as a resurgence of imperialistic aspirations; therefore, a mature appearance that can contribute to world peace is required.