Author Archives: Barbara Lazar

HASEDERA TEMPLE IN NARA AND ITS SUPERSTITIONS

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

I’m working on a KeyPoint presentation (PowerPoint for those of you PC people) on the Heian Period of Japan. I have been exploring temples and shrines. Originally built in the seventh century, it is an oldie but a goodie. There is an 11-faced statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kannon, which was added in the eighth century by Emperor Shōmu. By the way, he seems to of been the first egalitarian Emperor because he married a non-royal commoner. Of course she was of a… Continue reading →

The Bow and Arrow: Another Weapon Also Used by Women

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

The bow and arrow provided the majority of weaponry in Heian and early Kamakura Japan. the predominance of the sword did not actually come “into” use, although it was used, until later. The actual ascendancy of the bow and arrow began during the wars before and the Genpei War. Shooting the bow and arrow became, like most of the arts in Japan, an elaborate and systematic process which required much practice. There are actually eight named stages of shooting an arrow: 1.ASHIBUMI (footing) 2. DOZUKURI… Continue reading →

Women’s Weapons: The Naginata

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

Between the 12th and approximately the 15th centuries women defended themselves, their families and their homes. They concealed daggers in their sleeves or sashes and delivered their deadly blades with great accuracy. Women also used the naginata, which is a pole having a long, curved sword at the top. For an ambush, women swung naginata in narrowed places, cutting the legs of horses to disable the enemy soldiers. Sometimes women fought alongside their husbands in battle. And they were expected to commit seppuku (ritual suicide)… Continue reading →

HISTORICAL FACT FROM HISTORICAL FICTION

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

One of the things I love about historical fiction is that I am able to learn about the historical time, people and events. So — who were the real people and who are fictional characters in Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai? Kozaishō and all of the Taira: Michimori, his family members, and even his ‘sidekick’, Tokikazu,were real. The Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Antoku did live as well. As did the Minamoto: Yoshitsune, Yoritomo, Yoshitomo, Yoshinaka, Noriyori, and Yukiie. Kozaishō’s family, Akio, Toshiko, the girls on the… Continue reading →

MORE REAL FEMALE SAMURAI

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

By the 15th century, the role of women in Japan changed significantly. For a long time before then, women inherited their parents property, then the law of primogeniture was defended by Confucianism and Buddhism. Don’t get me started on that… More recently, the Boshin War (1868-69) also witnessed the fighting spirit of Japan’s samurai-class women. After a month-long siege, the Aizu region surrendered. Its samurai went to prisoner of war camps, and the domain was divided up and redistributed to imperial loyalists. … Continue reading →

Real Female Samurai

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

WERE THERE REAL SAMURAI? * * * The answer is YES! Definitely yes. Was Kozaishō a real samurai? She did really exist. She was the wife of the commander-in-chief Taira no Michimori, and according to Tale of the Heike, she was at the battle of Ichinotani. However, also with reference to the Tale of the Heike, she probably was nota samurai, but she could have been. * * * The first strong evidence of a real warrior woman is Empress Jingu who was married to… Continue reading →

More Tales and Superstitions

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

How We Tell Time – in Ancient Japan with the Zodiac I thought you might enjoy reading (or reading again) the story that is told to Kozaishō who learns the twelve animals of them: One day, the Emperor of Jade, the God of the heaven, declared to all the animals that he was going to choose twelve of them to name the years. The first twelve who arrived at his palace would each have the task of protecting mankind for one year. All the animals… Continue reading →

Superstitions and Tales

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

Superstitions and Tales There was an old belief that persimmons have magical powers that bring the birth of children and a good harvest. Incidentally, there is a Japanese saying, “Saru mo ki kara ochiru.” This means, “Even monkeys fall out of trees,” or as the English expression has it, “Pride comes before a fall.” Once upon a time there was a crab who picked up a rice cake, and a monkey, who had a hard persimmon-seed, came together, and who begged the crab to exchange… Continue reading →

Japanese Superstitions

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

The Heian Period of Japan is considered the Golden Age. It is also a great age of superstition, magic and mantic practices. Did you know that the number 4 is unlucky In the Japanese culture? At the time of Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai everyone believed that the ghosts of the dead, if not properly buried and prayed for, would haunt and even kill anyone who did not honor them. The Chinese zodiac, adopted by the Japanese, which some of you may have… Continue reading →

The Infamous Samurai Sword

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Barbara Lazar

What’s faster than a speeding bullet? Well, what’s faster than a speeding BB? Yes! The Japanese sword and this incredible artist. Take a look at this video and see how astounding this is: Real Samurai Sword Technique – by Isao Machii – Japanese Katana Kenjutsu The Japanese sword is quite frankly—perfection. And it was in the Heian period that it became so. Japanese iron ore is different than everywhere else. The steel and the method of forging combined… Continue reading →