Contents
Introduction
Samurai
Origin of Samurai
Bushi-Do (Spirit of Samurai)
What Did Samurai Do Actually?
Samurai Hair Style “Chon-mage”
Ninja
Did Ninja really exist?
What were the jobs of ninjas?
What was their Ninjutsu like?
Sumo
How old is sumo?
What are the Rules of Sumo, and its Features?
How Do Sumo Wrestlers Spend Their Days?
Geisha
History of Geisha
What is the Difference between Geiko and Maiko?
Introduction
As Japan has a long history, which at one time included a lengthy period of national isolation, it has given rise to various jobs that are unique to Japan. The words Samurai, Ninja, Sumo Wrestler, and Geisha are already known to the world. Tours related to these figures are very popular among foreign tourists. Many believe that samurai and ninja still exist in Japan, harboring stereotypical images influenced by movies and manga. During the tours, we are sometimes taken aback by questions such as “What is Bushido?” or “What’s the difference between Geiko and Maiko?”




Moreover, what comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Made-in-Japan”? Most people probably think of “high quality,” “effective functions,” and “good durability.” Before the Second World War, however, the skills and facilities were far behind those in America and Britain, and Japanese products were considered “easily breakable,” “cheap,” and “low-quality versions of American products.” Japan experienced rapid economic growth in the 1970s and produced world-renowned companies like Toyota and Honda, the automobile manufacturers, Sony, the maker of portable radios and the Walkman, and Nissin, the inventor of instant noodles. In the automobile industry, durability was a significant issue then, and Japanese manufacturers had very low failure rates. This led to the perception that Japanese products were less prone to breaking. Now they are perceived as high-end brands, known for “high quality” and “effective functions.” During the bubble economy period, Japan became the world’s largest economy, a situation referred to as “Japan As Number One.”
We will discuss employment in Japan, referring to questions posed by foreigners. Additionally, we will examine the historical context to clarify Japan’s approach to manufacturing and craftsmanship.
Samurai
Origin of Samurai
The samurai date back to the Heian Period (794-1185). The aristocrats, who were the rulers at that time, hired individuals as guards. These groups became increasingly armed until they eventually became samurai. The term ‘samurai’ is derived from the verb ‘saburau,’ which means ‘to serve a master.’ Thus, ‘samurai’ refers to warriors who serve a master. Samurai with no master are called ‘Ronin.’

Their duty was ‘favor and service,’ which is analogous to the modern relationship of ‘labor and compensation.’ Samurai served their masters, including aristocrats and shogunates, and in return, they were granted territories. Initially, during the Heian period, they served the aristocrats. Over time, these groups formed and expanded their power. By the late Heian period, powerful warrior clans such as the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) overthrew the aristocratic society. The first samurai government was founded by the Minamoto (Genji) family, marking the beginning of the Kamakura period. Although the government maintained the imperial system, it fully developed its own samurai culture as the de facto national ruler.

Bushi-Do (Spirit of Samurai)
Bushido is one of the original spiritual philosophies in Japan, developed by absorbing some beliefs from Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The term ‘bushido’ was coined by Nitobe Inazo, who wrote the book titled ‘Bushido: The Soul of Japan’ in 1900. While studying in Germany, he was asked, “How do you teach ethics in Japan, although you don’t have any religious education?” He contemplated the question, and his response was articulated in his book. This book became an international bestseller, and samurai and bushido became known worldwide. Bushido, in addition to disciplining samurai in martial arts, requires adherence to seven principal virtues: righteousness, courage, benevolence, courtesy, sincerity, honor, and loyalty. Honor and loyalty are particularly important. These virtues emphasize the ultimate mission: “A samurai must fulfill any duty assigned to them” and “Death in battle is honor, while losing but surviving is shame.”

“Seppuku,” also known as “hara-kiri,” is an action stemming from the desire to maintain honor and avoid shame, based on the principles of Bushido. The spirit of Bushido, which values righteousness over attachment to the material world, is often likened to cherry blossoms, or Sakura. The Sakura blooms beautifully and falls shortly thereafter without hesitation—an ideal metaphor for samurai who adhere to Bushido. A famous phrase encapsulates this sentiment: “Bushido is, after all, nothing but death.” In the movie “The Last Samurai,” a line reflects this sentiment: “Men and Sakura fall someday, as they say. Even a sigh, even a cup of tea, even an enemy warrior has its own spirit. This is how samurai lead their lives. This is …Bushido.”
What Did Samurai Do Actually?
Traditionally, in Samurai families, parents were expected to teach their children martial arts and military science, and instill the principles of Bushido, which emphasizes polite behavior and duty fulfillment. The Acts for Military Houses, enacted in 1615 to outline the rules for samurai, included a clause stating, “You should work hard in both literature and martial arts.” This meant samurai were required to practice “Bunbu Ryodo” (the pursuit of both literary and martial arts). It was considered dishonorable to act solely based on profit and loss. “Shisso-kennyaku” (living frugally) and “Shitsujitsu-goken” (living simply and sturdily) were ideals of the samurai. This gave rise to the phrase “Bushi wa kuwanedo taka yoji” (A samurai, even without eating, holds a toothpick in his mouth as if satisfied). This means “Even if a samurai is very poor, he never shows any signs of poverty to maintain his dignity,” or simply “being too proud.”
The image of samurai is that of fierce warriors, but what did they actually do? They had two kinds of roles: “Bangata” (like soldiers) and “Kujikata” (like public clerks or police officers). However, during the peaceful times after the beginning of the Edo period, they had few opportunities to fight, and their duties were mostly limited to “Kujikata.” They were regularly paid for various tasks such as administration, finance, event preparation, food procurement, and cooking for shogunates or daimyo lords. During the Edo period, the culture and economy of commoners flourished, and super-rich merchants and farmers emerged. Meanwhile, samurai led frugal lives and, when their earnings were insufficient, they took on side jobs such as making paper umbrellas or lanterns, cultivating goldfish or “suzumushi” (singing crickets), and growing morning glories or azaleas. These jobs were neither very profitable nor readily available. They spent much of their spare time watching dramas, gambling, drinking, composing haiku poems, arranging flowers, and other activities. Most samurai were so poor that they had to borrow money from merchants.
Samurai Hair Style “Chon-mage”
Why did samurai have that peculiar hairstyle? It had a lot to do with the samurai helmets worn in battles since the Heian period. In Japan’s humid climate, wearing a “Kabuto” helmet would make the head easily sweaty and stuffy. To prevent this, they cut their hair in the unique styles of “Sakayaki” and “Chon-mage.” Sakayaki is the hairstyle created by shaving the hair from the forehead to the top. They tied the remaining hair at the top, creating a “Chon-mage,” or topknot. In the Edo period, even male commoners began to adopt the hairstyles of Sakayaki and Chon-mage, and they became popular and common. In 1871, the Meiji government enacted a law requiring the removal of topknots, and the Chon-mage disappeared. Now, you can see this hairstyle only on the heads of sumo wrestlers.
Why did samurai have that peculiar hairstyle? It had a lot to do with the samurai helmets worn in battles since the Heian period. In Japan’s humid climate, wearing a “Kabuto” helmet would make the head easily sweaty and stuffy. To prevent this, they cut their hair in the unique styles of “Sakayaki” and “Chon-mage.” Sakayaki is the hairstyle created by shaving the hair from the forehead to the top. They tied the remaining hair at the top, creating a “Chon-mage,” or topknot. In the Edo period, even male commoners began to adopt the hairstyles of Sakayaki and Chon-mage, and they became popular and common. In 1871, the Meiji government enacted a law requiring the removal of topknots, and the Chon-mage disappeared. Now, you can see this hairstyle only on the heads of sumo wrestlers.
Ninja
Did Ninja really exist?
Ninjas were historically called “Shinobi,” and they are said to have engaged in espionage activities. They were employed by the Daimyo Lords in many domains and were ordered to carry out reconnaissance, sabotage, ambushes, night raids, and intelligence-gathering activities within enemy territories. Some books say that they worked for the First Emperor Jinmu and Prince Shōtoku, but according to documented evidence, it can be said that their existence dates back at least as far as the Nanboku-chō period. It is thought that the origin of Ninjas was rebellious groups resisting the manor system in the regions of Iga (today’s Mie Prefecture) and Koga (Shiga Prefecture). Since these places are close to Kyoto and surrounded by mountains, many political refugees and “Shugensha” ascetic Buddhist monks came there. During the civil war period, the conflicts among the lords intensified, gradually developing the unique skills of the Ninjas until they reached the highest level of “Ninjutsu.”

What were the jobs of ninjas?
Ninjas did not work on center stage but behind the scenes. There are not many documents or lore about them, so many aspects remain a mystery. Many people around the world have misunderstandings about ninjas due to films and manga depicting them as individuals with supernatural powers. In reality, they disguised themselves as farmers, acrobats, and traveling peddlers and carried out espionage activities. They had extensive knowledge in various fields such as military strategy, communication, social skills, witchcraft, medicine, pharmacology, and astronomy. In contrast to samurai, who chose death by hara-kiri or took responsibility for losing battles, ninjas had to survive any situation to bring back the intelligence data collected outside their home domain. Nin (忍) in Ninja means “perseverance,” referring to their perseverance to fulfill their duty while staying alive.
What was their Ninjutsu like?
The primary duty was intelligence activities. Fighting with enemies was their last resort. Indeed, they carried special weapons such as ‘Shuriken’ darts; however, they often used farm tools or similar-looking weapons to avoid detection. One aspect of Ninjutsu was ‘Tonjutsu,’ which involved skills of hiding and escaping. Using fire and smoke Tonjutsu techniques, they confused their pursuers with gunpowder and smoke balls. With water-based Tonjutsu techniques, they hid underwater. Using concealment Tonjutsu techniques, they hid in the shadows or disguised themselves as rocks and leaves to escape from enemies. Their escape skills were highly developed, and the fastest ninja, called ‘Idaten’ (God of Speed), was said to be able to run about 200 km per day.

Sumo
How old is sumo?
The first documented evidence of sumo history dates back to just before the 16th century; however, it is mentioned in earlier tales. ‘Kojiki,’ compiled in 712, describes sumo during a strength competition scene within the myth story of Kuniyuzuri (transfer of the land). After the Nara period, sumo was often held as a ritual for predicting the harvest in the coming autumn, and it also took place in the imperial court to pray for a good harvest and a peaceful society. In the Edo period, sumo was held in temples and shrines to raise funds for the repair or construction of halls and buildings. These fundraising events became very popular among the commoners. Later, professional wrestlers emerged, and the rules were established. This style still lasts today. One of the typical venues was Ekoin temple in Ryogoku, Edo, so near there, the Sumo tournament auditorium was built, and now this “Ryogoku National Sport Auditorium” is the center of the professional sumo world.



What are the Rules of Sumo, and its Features?
The winning techniques in sumo include pushing, forcing out, lifting, and throwing, among others. In the Muromachi period, there were 48 techniques; now there are 82. A win is achieved when a wrestler forces any part of the opponent’s body outside the dohyo ring to touch the sand, or makes any part of his body other than the soles touch the sand inside the dohyo. Sumo has no weight limit system, and generally, heavier wrestlers tend to be stronger. The heaviest wrestler on record was 292 kg! However, weight isn’t always decisive; agility and skills are also important factors, as they say, “Jyu-yoku-Go-wo-seisu (The soft overcomes the hard),” meaning that skill and technique can overcome brute strength. Watching the matches of wrestlers with a big difference in weight and physique is one of the attractions of sumo.

The professional sumo world has its own ranking system for wrestlers. Roughly speaking, there are six grades: Makuuchi, Jyuryo, Makushita, Sandanme, Jonidan, and Jonokuchi. Wrestlers in the Makuuchi and Jyuryo divisions are considered fully professional and are called Sekitori. Within Makuuchi, there are also five ranks; Yokozuna is at the very top, followed by Ozeki as the second-highest rank. For a wrestler in the Ozeki rank to ascend to Yokozuna status, winning two consecutive tournaments or achieving an equivalent record of success is required. Once attaining Yokozuna status, a wrestler permanently retains this title. However, if a wrestler at Ozeki rank accumulates more losses than wins across two consecutive tournaments, demotion from this rank occurs. This dynamic ranking system that allows movement up and down adds another layer of excitement.

How Do Sumo Wrestlers Spend Their Days?
The grand sumo tournaments are held in months with odd numbers: in Tokyo in January, May, and September, in Osaka in March, in Nagoya in July, and in Fukuoka in November respectively. The wrestlers live together in a sumo stable and practice hard every day. As training methods, they usually do ‘Teppo’ and ‘Shiko.’ The former involves thrusting the palms hard on the pillar, and the latter involves lifting one leg up high and pounding it hard on the ground. Tours of sumo training are very popular among foreign tourists. In the stable, wrestlers share the pot dish ‘Chanko Nabe’ in large quantities, which is their daily dish. As Chanko Nabe is nutritious enough to build their strong bodies and is delicious, it has become a meal that can be eaten even at shops beyond the sumo stables. There are many around Ryogoku.
Geisha
History of Geisha
In the middle of the Edo period, on the approach to Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, there stood “Mizuchaya” (water tea shops) serving tea and Dango sweet dumplings to visitors and travelers. Later on, the shop girls began performing singing and dancing to attract customers, and this is said to be the origin of Geiko and Maiko. Eventually, more and more people came just to see their performances, and the shops competed with each other by dressing the girls in beautiful kimonos and having them host guests with food and sake. This led to the present culture of Geisha. Geisha girls were not prostitutes but were skilled in playing the Shamisen (a guitar-like string instrument), singing, and dancing. Now they are usually called “Geiko” (performing girl) to avoid being misunderstood as prostitutes. “Maiko” (dancing girl) is a young girl aged 15 to 20 who is a trainee to become a Geisha. Now, if you want to experience the world of Geisha, you must go to a Japanese restaurant in a group and first enjoy eating, drinking, and talking with a Geisha girl or two. Then you can appreciate their traditional performances of dancing and playing the Shamisen, and when the party gets fully excited, you can play some games called “Ozashiki Asobi” (games in the tatami mat room) with the girls.



What is the Difference between Geiko and Maiko?
Geiko is a full-fledged professional while Maiko is a trainee. They are very different in dress, hairstyle, accessories, and footwear. Maiko tries to appear flashy as a young and cute girl, while Geiko dresses in a refined and simple manner as an attractive adult woman. The white makeup foundation on the face of Geisha is well known, but this was due to the lighting conditions in the Edo period. Candles were the only lighting tool, and to make the face look clear and beautiful in the dark room, they painted their face white. Maikos live in establishments named “Okiya” to learn the manners necessary to become a Geiko. In the daytime, they learn skills, and at night they work to entertain guests in restaurants. They need to master not only playing musical instruments and dancing but also the art of conversation and the skills of considerate hosting. They must acquire “Omotenashi” (the proper way of treating guests in Japan) as professionals. In Kyoto Hanamachi (Geisha area), Ichigensan (first-time customers) are refused. Regular customers use these restaurants as a “Settai” (to entertain important businesspersons) place or a room to discuss highly confidential political issues. Hanamachi must maintain strict privacy rules.
