Heian Period the Fujiwara

During the Heian Period the Fujiwara was not a family who cared too much for war. The extent of the fighting during this period was done mainly by the trained clan warriors, the uji fighting men. As a result there was little political power held by warriors. However, the following period was nearing the opposite side of the latter. The Kamakura Period received its name from the power that the warriors held in Kamakura. The warriors of the Kamakura Period were unlike warriors from previous periods. The warriors, otherwise known as bushi, were expected to hold character traits that exceeded the normal warrior or citizen. Among the traits were reliability, sincerity, to live a frugal and strenuous life, and to worry not about personal gain or profit. These warriors were known as samurai. The list of traits was used as a model on judging the worthiness of men. However, the samurai were expected to go even further than just living up to the standards set for them. To avoid dishonor or demonstrate his sincerity or underline a protest, he should be ready to commit ritual suicide by disembowelment, also known as seppuku. The enormous emphasis put on honor is apparent. Although the gesture could be viewed as admirable then, it is absurd to think about now. Although one never wants to injure pride or honor it is not necessary to go to such an extreme end to salvage it. Still, honor and pride were not the only factors that would drive one to end their life. Loyalty to ones lord or emperor was also a virtuous reason to commit suicide. This is evident in The Tale of Genji while Genji is speaking with an old man in regards to another man and that mans daughter. The old man states, If he dies with his grand ambitions unrealized she is to jump into the sea (Murasaki, 69) . The daughter is to remain loyal and take her own life unless her father lets her know otherwise. It appears that one could not live ...