During the formative years of ancient Japan, the samurais were guards of the imperial palace. They also acted as police force in and around Kyoto. These men were often sponsored by the wealthy and the elite in society. Their equipment and over all livelihood depended on the genorosity of the aristocrats. They were servants who were required to hone their martial skills to protect those who looked after them. They were also the sole armed party, wearing their swords as badges of honor in public as a show of prestige. The samurai would eventually surpass even the power of the ruling aristocratic party by promising protection and gaining political power through marriage contracts. AS time passed the samurais began to form alliances with clans who needed protection from each other, and by the mid-century, they began to adopt the famous ethical code that has left a lasting impact upon not just East Asian History, but the world all over.

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