redsamuraiii:Descendants of Samurai by Ryotaro HoriuchiExcerpts from Ryotaro Horiuchi:The Samurai st
redsamuraiii:Descendants of Samurai by Ryotaro HoriuchiExcerpts from Ryotaro Horiuchi:The Samurai still live in today’s Japan. In the Soma region of Fukushima prefecture, there is a traditional Samurai festival called “Soma Nomaoi”, which is said to have continued for more than 1000 years. At the festival, the descendants of Samurai continue to protect their culture in parallel with living their current lives.Today they have the same strict hierarchical relationships and rank system that they used to, and they have a strong sense of protecting their general. Before the modern era, “Samurai” was a profession in itself but now they all have their modern profession. Nevertheless, the spirit of the Samurai is inherited in them.Some are lucky to have armor that has been passed down in their family. But some purchase antique armor and repair to make it to its unique and the others custom order armor for themselves. Armor for them is more than an heirloom, it is a functional instrument, which acts as a tool to display their character.They have been “preserving the traditions they should inherit” and “accepting the changes come with the times” in parallel. With this effort, they pass down their culture by keeping it alive. The Samurai spirit living in them is indispensable for them to continue to be Samurai in today’s society.More at Ryotaro Horiuchi -- source link