During the Edo Period (1600-1868), the samurai were expected to PROTECT members of the other three classes. Samurai literally means “one who serves”, and that is how they began, SERVING AND PROTECTING the imperial family and subsequently other lords. Samurai warriors were the elite of four classes of Japanese feudal society (1185-1868) Samurai – Warrior Classįorth class – Merchants The term, Samurai, is a derivative of the Japanese verb for service, “saburau” (SA-BOO-RA-OH). Iron is a material with a shiny and cold quality but the Japanese were able to give it life and make it bloom as an artistic object.” Gaining an understanding of who the fearless samurai were and what their sword represented to them is of vital importance. As Michihiro Tanobe, former Senior Managing Director of the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword (NBTHK) writes: “The Japanese people have traditionally expected objects to have artistic beauty in addition to practical excellence and the pursuit of beauty in all spheres of activity has always been inherent in their nature. Swords are frequently used as objects of spiritual healing as their power and beauty make them ‘ yorishiro’, objects that by their very nature attract a sacred energy. A mirror reflects the light of the sun, which is revered as the highest divine power for the sensible reason that it is the source of all life on the planet. In Shinto, the Shintai or ‘Body of Kami (spirit)’ can be found in a stone, tree, river, mountain or a human made object such a sword or a mirror. Point 7: CERTIFICAES OF AUTHENTICITY Point 1: THE SWORD, THE SOUL OF THE SAMURAI Swords play a central role in Japanese tradition and are widely admired for their elegance, beauty, technical excellence and spiritual qualities. Point 1: THE SWORD, THE SOUL OF THE SAMURAI

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