Get up close and personal with the \;s amurai! \; The influence of these almost mythic Japanese warriors can still be seen in pop culture\, anime and gaming. Learn about what was bene ath their armor literally! This program will explain how \;yoroi \ ;or Japanese armor was worn\, as well as show types of items that a typica l foot soldier may have carried into battle. \;The presenter will also share information \;about places to visit in Japan if you&rsquo\;re a fan of these ancient warriors!
\nBetween the mid-15th \;century and the beginning of the 17th \; \;century\, Japan experienced ne arly 150 years of brutal civil war. \; \;This period in Japan was known as the \;Sengoku Jidai \;or the Warring States Era. As multi ple clans battled for control over Japan\, the \;Sengoku Jidai \;w as most likely responsible for producing the highest volume of hand-forged armor and weapons in Japan&rsquo\;s history.
\nLike the ancient kni ghts of Europe\, the samurai also lived by a code of ethics and were known for their loyalty to the lords they served. Through rigorous training and self-discipline\, they honed their skills and forged their mental armor. The suits they donned were often more than just physical protection but we re also extensions of their personalities. Like the Japanese sword\, these suits of armor were often works of art in both function and design.
\nEchoes of the samurai can still be seen in modern martial arts in Japan and the influence of these ancient warriors are continuously revisited an d re-imagined in popular culture through anime\, manga and video games.&nb sp\; \;Let&rsquo\;s journey back in time to get a closer look at the s amurai through the armor and weapons they used in battle. The armor that w ill be used in this demonstration is a reproduction of a typical style tha t would have been worn during the \;Sengoku Jidai \;and bears the crest of \;Hideyoshi Toyotomi\, one of the Three Great Unifiers\, who eventually brought an end to this infamous era of social unrest and civil war in Japan.
\nPresenter Lynn Miyauchi is a third generation Japane
se American from Seattle\, who has always been intrigued by the \;samu
rai. \; \;Her interest in these ancient Japanese warriors most lik
ely stems from growing up watching &ldquo\;chambara&rdquo\; or the action-
packed swashbuckling genre of Japanese cinema filled with flashing swords
and exciting duels. These films inspired her to explore Japanese history\,
martial arts and a develop a fascination in the artistic aesthetics of Ja
panese armor and swords. \;
\;
Lynn taught English in
Japan with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program before joining th
e Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle. As the Senior Specialist for Cult
ural Affairs\, she enjoys introducing and sharing Japanese culture\, espec
ially through hands-on activities and presentations that allow people to g
et up close and literally &ldquo\;touch&rdquo\; a bit of Japanese history.
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