What Role Did Fighting Men Play In Japanese History

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Although fighting men played an important role in Japanese history from the nations beginning the class of warriors known as samurai did not emerge until the twelfth century AD By that time many small chiefdoms were unified into a central state that was headed by an emperor or empress who was believed to be a godly figure In his study of early Japan Jonathan Norton Leonard writes: When landholders found they could no longer depend on royal officials for protection against outlaws or predatory neighbors they armed their sons and retainers[servants] and put themselves under the leadership of chiefs renowned for fighting ability…To gain additional strength for defense or offense the warrior-chiefs of each small region banded together and offered