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'Bushi,' who are usualy called 'Samurai' in both English and Japanese, were men who can not be ignored in Japanese history. Bushi existed from the Kamakura period (12th century) to the Edo period (19th century) in Japan. A Bushi used to wear a dark-colored Japanese Kimono and usually carried a long sword called a katana and a short sword called a wakazashi. Most of them served their master faithfully, staying in houses which were located around his master who was called 'Tono-sama' or lord. As the name Bushi means a fighter, they were of high ability in both using swords and riding horses. They guarded their 'Shiro' castles, or they fought against enemies at their Tono-sama's command.
In Japan there are many old stories that are told to children and we would like to introduce you to one called 'Momotaro.' There probably not an adult or child in Japan who does not know this story.
A long, long time ago there was an old man and an old woman that lived together. The old man collected firewood in the mountains and the old woman washed laundry at the river. One day while the old woman was doing her washing, a giant peach came floating down the river so she picked it up and brought it home. When she got home the old man was surprised and said, 'My, that is a large peach !' Just as the old lady was about to cut the peach it split in two, and in the middle was a baby boy. Since the boy came out of a peach, momo in Japanese, they named him Momotaro.
The three of them lived happily together until one day when Momotaro heard some bad oni (devils) that lived on a nearby island talking and decided that he would vanquish them. When he told the old man and woman this they were surprised but they told him to be careful and come home safely.
Momotaro then set of and soon he met a dog that asked him for some food. Momotaro gave him the food and the dog became his follower. The same thing then happened with a monkey as well. The three of them then set off for the onis' island and when they reached it attacked the evil devils. After much fighting Momotaro and his friends defeated the oni who begged for mercy and said that they would never do a bad thing again. They then game him all of their treasure, which Momotaro then brought back to the old man and the old woman.
In Japanese folk lore there are many mysterious and interesting stories that you can read. So if you ever have the chance you should definitely read some.
It is said that imaginary creatures called 'yokai' in Japan from the old days. We will introduce some famous things of them.
a) Kappa
A 'Kappa,' specter is a yokai living in the water such as a river and a swamp. It has the plate that is full of water on the head.
b) Tengu
A 'Tengu,' Long-nosed goblin is said to live in mountains. It has a weak point, that is, it doesn't like smell of cooking fish.
c) Oni
An 'Oni,' ogre is very tall such as 10 feet, and wears a striped pants. It has keen tusks which look like swords.
d) Tenaga Ashinaga
A 'Tenaga Ashinaga' is a giant creature that is said to live on top of the mountains. It is also said that the lightning of thunder comes out when you stare at the creature.
We will introduce ninjas. First of all, we will introduce some of the attaking skills of ninjas.
a) Doton-no-jutsu
A ninja hides quickly in the sandy or soft soil, then when he finds a chance he jumps out of the ground, and attacks his enemy.
b) Uguisgakure-no-jutsu
A ninja rounds his body in the grass, and hide from his enemy.
c) Tanukigakure-no-jutsu
A ninja uses a sheet of gib cloth for the trunk of the tree, a wall, and so on, and hide behind the cloth.
d) Kitsunegakure-no-jutsu
A ninja hides in the water breathing by using a pipe of the bamboo.
e) Utsusemi-no-jutsu
A ninja replaces his body with a wood trunk thus avoiding the enemy's attack. Then he attacks his enemy from behind.
f) Makibishi
When a ninja is cornered by his enemy, he scatters Makibishis, and runs away.
g) Kunai
A weapon to throw toward the enemy. There are other various ways to use it, such as digging the ground.
h) Noroshi
The use of smoke signals to communicate with other ninjas or tell him of his condition.
i) Mizugumo-no-jutsu
A ninja walks on water with or without a tool.
j) Kuchiyose-no-jutsu
When a ninja controls an animal to make it speak his words from far away.
Next we will introduce some features of ninjas. A ninja wears black clothes as not to be found by his enemies. Also he carries the least amount of things possible in order to move around easily. There are also some ninjas who are women, and they are called 'Kunoichi.'