samurai

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Japanese term for the warrior class which became the ruling military elite for almost 700 years. A samurai was an armed retainer of a daimyo (large landowner) with specific duties and privileges and a strict code of honour. The system was abolished in 1869 and all samurai were pensioned off by the government.

From the 16th century, commoners were not allowed to carry swords, whereas samurai had two swords, and the higher class of samurai were permitted to fight on horseback. It is estimated that 8% of the population belonged to samurai families. A financial depression from about 1700 caused serious hardship to the samurai, beginning a gradual disintegration of their traditions and prestige, accelerated by the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868, in which they had assisted. Under the new Meiji emperor, they were stripped of their role, and many rebelled. Their last uprising was the Satsuma Rebellion 1877–78, in which 40,000 samurai took part.

Red stands for sovereignty. White represents purity. Green recalls the coastal inhabitants and is a symbol of hope. Effective date: 14 October 1958. >>