Baghdad & Beyond

I  R  A  Q Ancient Babylon Lion of Babylon, portion of Ishtar Gate US-ANGLO CAPITALIST EMPIRE 2003 INVASION U.S. CAPITALIST INVADER Thanksgiving in Baghdad, Iraq, 2003  ‘US illegally obtained and kept thousands of Iraq’s cultural treasures’ https://www.rt.com/op-edge/iraq-war-cultural-artifacts-553/ https://www.rt.com/op-edge/iraq-war-cultural-artifacts-553/ http://archive.is/769Nh US-ANGLO CAPITALISTS DESTROYED IRAQ 1.  1991 occupation 2.  2003 occupation US-ANGLO CAPITALISTS ROBBED IRAQ Currency stolen Gold artefacts & gold bars stolen antiques stolen billions of dollars from Iraq central bank funds transferred to US without any paper trail precious artefacts looted priceless historic DOCUMENTATION by the TON stolen documents moved from Iraq Foreign Ministry & state security agencies to USA by Adnan Makiya with the help of the occupation authorities allegedly for the Iraq Memory Foundation operation had been planned long before Iraq invasion documents were then sold to American university Iraq state owned valuable Jewish archives centuries-old documents stolen by USA who had NO RIGHT to move local cultural and material values in fact, had duty to preserve same Extensive destruction of many archaeological sites especially in Babylon city was first occupied by US forces then later handed to Polish troops Poles:  used heavy armour, tanks & helicopter Poles:  did construction work for military infrastructure & seriously damaged many archaeological sites in area US occupation authorities offered pittance for restoration:  $20 million versus $1 billion sought of US State Dept. (which did not respond) Americans allowed museums to be looted National Museum in Iraq, looted in 3 days American invaders did not act to keep exhibits safe & are therefore responsible https://www.rt.com/op-edge/iraq-war-cultural-artifacts-553/ http://archive.is/769Nh @WikiLeaks  @WikiLeaks Baghdad name (and culture) is pre-Islamic Indo-European name origin & Middle Persian Bagh (god) + dad (given by) translated to:  'God's Gift' Old Persian first portion traced to boghu, related to Slavic bog (god) second portion, dadāti, Middle Persian (new Persian, Mihrdad) related to Hellenistic form Mithridates (god of Mithra) dat = archaic form of  'dad'   /    Latin 'dat'  /   English 'donor' thus:  'Gift of Mithra' (Hellenised version) Russian look-up: = bagh + dad = god   + give = бог   +  дать   (Russian) = bog  +  dat      (Russian / Latin script) wikipedia thefreedictionary [info from various Wikpedia, unless otherwise marked] Mithra Zoroastrian angelic divinity ('yazata') of: covenant & oath divinity of contracts Mithra also judicial figure, protector of truth & guardian of cattle, harvest & the waters Roman  Mithraic Mysteries Mystery Religion known as:  Mithraism attributed to Persia or Zoroastrian sources related to Mithra but - modern scholars note dissimilarities b/w 1.  Persian Mithra worship 2.  Roman Mithraic mysteries Mithra from proto-Indo-Iranian:  'mitra' (root:  'mi' - 'to bind') meaning:   THAT WHICH CAUSES BINDING ie Avestan word for:   COVENANT, CONTRACT, OATH became:  mihr Mithra - no mention in Gathas (oldest Zoroastrian texts) or in the Yasna ('worship') scriptures but Mithra is member of IRANIAN AHURIC TRIAD: 1.  Ahura Mazda 2.  Ahura Berezaiti (Apam Napat) 3.  Mithra Ahura Mazda (Avstan):  God, lit. 'Wise Lord', the Supreme Being of the Zoroastrians. (Var: (Pahlavi) 'Ohrmazd') here 'Ahura' = 'Lord'  (in Avestan language, Iranic) sacred language closely related to Vedic Sanskrit Vedic Sanskrit, oldest preserved Indo-Aryan language (Iranic lang.) Vedic Sanskrit orally-preserved as part of Srauta Vedic chanting pre-dates alphabetic writing in India by several centuries Śrauta = belonging to śruti (Hinduism) Śruti = that which is heard / ancient religious texts, central cannon of Hinduism Avestan (Zend), East Iranian, Zoroastrian Ahu (Avestan):     ("lord") spiritual lord or master, often found in conjunction with 'ratu' (judge) - here Avestan, aka Zend  / Eastern Iranian language of Zoroastrian scripture area:  ancient     Arachosia     Aria     Bactria     Margiana Yaz culture of Bactria & Margiana (1500 BC - 1100 BC) reflects early East Iranian culture of Avesta likely Zoroastrian practice of sky burial (corpse exposure) therefore no burials found corresponds to (now):     Afghanistan, entirety     Pakistan, part     Tajikistan, part     Turkmenistan, part     Uzbekistan, part https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Aruti https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Arauta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avestan AUDIO | #1 Artaxerxes II (r. to 358 B.C.) trilingual inscription at Susa Old Persian, Elamite (Elam, now Southern Iran) + Babylonian 'Ahuramazda, Anahita, & Mithra protect me against all evil' Zoroastrian calendar, the 11th day of month & 7th month:  dedicated to Mithra 1925 Iranian civil calendar adopted Zoroastrian month names /  seventh month is:  Mihr Mithra distinct from Sun divinity (Hvare.khshaeta 'Radiant Sun') but evolved into being co-identified with Sun, taking over the Radiant Sun role --------------------- Zend Avesta sacred book of the Parsis few remaining followers of religion of Persia (after overthrow of Sassanian dynasty (A.D. 642) (Islamic invasion)) aka Dualism, Mazdeism, Magism, Zorastrianism, Fire Worship Avesta = x5 centuries preceding 'Christ' & x7 centuries after 'Christ', = the prevailing ideas Iran in that time Iran / Parsis, Avesta / Zorastrianism influence on: heresiarchs - heretical movement(s) (from Gk. 'sect') Judaism Islam In terms of religious thought, blending of Aryan mind with Demitic, opening second stage of Aryan thought  "Zoroaster and Plato were treated as if they had been philosophers of the same school" [here] http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12894/pg12894.txt --------------------- Hvare-Khshaeta Avestan language name of Zorastrian divinity, 'Radiant Sun' hvar = 'sun'  / khshaeta = 'radiant' (also 'glory', 'splendour') from Indo-Iranian root:  svar 'to shine' from which 'Surya' (Vedic Sanskrit) - 'sun' - also derived (Middle Persian lang.) contracted to:  'Khwarshed (new Persian lang.) continued as:  Khurshed / Khorshid 6th Yasht dedicated to Hvare-Khshaeta ie.  Avesta's chant/prayer to the Sun 11th Day of Zoroastrian calendar dedicated to:  Hvare-Khshaeta tradition eclipsed by Mithra as sun divinity due to late syncretic influence & possible conflation with Akkadian 'Shamash' deity Sun is domain of Hvare-Khshaeta / distinct from 'Covenant' source The Esoteric Codex: Zoroastrianism By Gerardo Eastburn --------------------- 11. Khwarshed (Av. Hvar Khshaeta) The Shining Sun http://www.avesta.org/zcal.html *NOTE:  looks like Wikipedia entry is wrong (says 16th day, rather than 11th).  Therefore amended this info to correspond with Eastburn info. EDIT: it was my mistake ... not Wikipedia. Should have checked there first. Wasted time confirming & then checking Wikipedia. Would have saved me time, going back straight away. LOL According to Wikipedia entry, conflation with: 1.  Babylonian Shamash 2.  Greek Apollo with whom Mithra shares other characteristics (eg.  judicial) see:  angelic messenger saviour figures of Manichaeans Sasanian / Sasanid Zorastrian dynasty - ruled Iran:  226 AD - 2 651 AD Capitals 1.  Istakhr (224–226 AD), southern Iran, Pars Province 2.  Ctesiphon (226–637 AD) - in (now) Iraq, 35 km south of Baghdad Ctesiphon was largest city in world 570 AD to fall 637 AD (Muslim conquest) Ctesiphon = Hellenised 'Ṭūsfūn' / 'Tisbōn'  (Armenian 'Tizbon') Old Testament:  Kasfia/Casphia  (wonder if this has anythng to do with Caspian Sea name?) Caspian from (Gk.) Kaspioi pre-Indo-European identified with Kassites (assimilated / disappeared) ruled Babylonia almost 400 years, after fall of Babylon to Hittites c. 1595 BC their deity:  Shuqamuna rule ended 12th C. BC, coquered by Elam (part (now) Iran) Elam known as Susiana, capital Susa Ctesiphon founded in the late 120s BC. on site of military camp by Iranians (Parthian) merged with old Hellenistic capital:  Seleucia (& other nearby settlements) reason for Parthian relocation westward of capital:  Scythian incursions Seleucia became the metropolis,    like the Babylon metropolis of ancient times Ctesiphon = major military objective of Roman empire (eastern wars) Ctesiphon captured by Romans x5 times Septimus Severus Emperor - sacked Ctesiphon     & sold thousands into slavery   Ctesiphon  western side of city = Veh-Ardashir ('the good city of Ardashir') Veh-ardashir was originally Seleucia was populated by wealthy Jews & known by them as 'Mahoza' Veh-Ardashir, seat of Nestorian patriarch Nestorianism -  emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Yeshua / 'Christ' advanced by Nestorius (386–450), Patriarch of Constantinople leading to conflicts, incl.  with Cyril of Alexandria Nestorius condemned as heretical at councils supporters relocated to Sasanian Empire, affiliated with local Christians became:  Church of the East (aka Nestorian Church) ie.  Syriac tradition of Eastern Christianity (Syriac - Syrian blend of Greek & Syrian / Aramaic - Edessa origin) later, mid 1500s schisms re Nestorian Church *lots of battles over Ctesiphon / various Romans Emperor Julian killed after battle outside of the Ctesiphon walls, in 363 AD Syrian Language origin of Syrian language = city of Edessa, Urha = Aramaic  Şanlıurfa - ie.  Edessa (Uṙha) Seleucus I Nicator Seleukos Nikator ('Conqueror') b. Europus, Macedonia c. 358 BC d. 281 Thrace, Macedonia on death of Alexander the Great & succession struggles rose from governor of Babylon to king of empire   centring on Syria & Iran founder of Seleucid kingdom Audio | #2 [ really like this rhythm ] Edessa (Uṙha) ancient upper Mesopotamia city (now in Turkey & known as:  Şanlıurfa) founded by:  Seleucus I Necator  (General under Alex. the Great) 2nd Century BC Seleucid (ancient Macedonian) rule disintegrated result of wars with Parthia (Iranians/Persians) Edessa (Uṙha) kingdom      established by Nabataean / Arab tribes (4 centuries) (what were the Arabs doing here?  must be due to disintegration of Seleucid Empire (ancient Macedonian) ... Arab squatters ... LOL ) under protectorate of Parthians (Iranians/Persians) under protectorate of Armenia was Armenian Mesopotamia capital city then under Romans, after sack & capture by Trajan a frontier city, border of Sassanid Persia (Zoroastrian Persia) 260 AD - Shahanshah Shapur I vs. Roman Empire Roman army defeated and captured by Persians, including Emperor Valerian Emperor capture was a first-time occurrence literary language of tribes kingdom in Edessa (Uṙha) = Aramaic Syriac developed from Aramaic Hellenistic culture were eclipsed in Edessa (Uṙha) Edessa (Uṙha) was rebuilt as Justinopolis, by Emperor Justin Edessa (Uṙha) changed hands a couple of times (Persian & Roman under Armenian Byzantine Emperor of Rome) Muslim invaders, Islamic conquest of Levant 638 AD 1031 AD - Edessa (Uṙha) returned to Byzantines by Arab governor then retaken by Arabs then held by Greeks then by Armenians then by Seljuk Turks (1087) then by Crusaders (1099) Turk Zengi capture & slaughter of most inhabitants + Latin archbishop (Siege of Edessa) sizeable Armenian population in Edessa (Uṙha)  /  birthplace of Matthew of Edessa, Armenian historian 12th Century - ruled by the Sultans of Aleppo (Ayyubids, centred Egypt, Kurdish origin) then Sultanate of Rum (Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate, Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim state of Seljuk Emp.) then Mongol ruled  (Mongol sacking of Baghdad, if account is correct, was brutal) then Mameluks ('owned slave') military caste Egypt, slave soldiers, many Balkan origins     Arabic 'faris' / knights     weapons - saif (sword), spear, lance, javelin, arrows, clubs then Akkoyunlu,the White Sheep Turkomans (Koyunlu) - Sunni Turkic then Safavids (significant dynasty of Persia, after Muslim conquest - Shia, Kurdish & Azerbaijani mix w/ other) 1890 - Muslim pop. of Edessa less than 50% then 1517 to 1918 by Ottoman Empire   [a little off track, but very interesting & change of hands probably accompanied like changes of hand in adjoining regions] Prophet Mani (aka Manichaeus, Manes) philosophy of moral dualism:  good / evil Mani, b. 216 AD, Mesopotamia (Iran) - ruled by Persia (Sassanid Empire) origins:  Jewish-Christian raised in Jewish-Christian baptism Gnostic sect:  Elcesaites Mani writings in Syraic Aramaic primary language of Babylon, administrative & cultural (Sassanid Empire) = Eastern Middle Aramaic in three dialects:     1.  Judeo-Aramaic (language of Talmud)     2.  Mandean Aramaic  (Southern Levant)     3.  Syriac Aramaic at time Manichaeism was spreading: Zoroastrianism was well established and popular & Christianity was growing in social & political influence although Manichaeism had fewer adherents, many were HIGH RANKING POLITICAL FIGURES Mani was backed by Persian Empire but fell out of favour with subsequent generation of Persian royalty Mani saw himself as providing an alternative to the incomplete teachings of:     - Buddha     - Zoroaster     - Yeshua Manichaeism may have influenced the Bogomils, Paulicians, and Cathars (dualism)  /   but few records left by these groups COMMENT:  must have also influenced Christianity, as there is a concept of moral good/evil & a concept of heaven/hell, unless that comes from Judaism ... although the Jews aren't into the hellish afterlife concept, I think ... too lazy to go checking the ins and outs of that. But Judaism appears very big on the moral preaching and promotion of 'do-gooding', so they must also see the world in terms of dualism? Can you have two views?  One close up and the other distant?  From a distant point of view:  I don't think I believe in any ultimate good/bad, just as there is no universal anything. As in, there is no universal principle that is applicable or legitimate & there is no universal 'good'. Everything must be neutral and indifferent, and our surroundings are just assigned a meaning by individuals who wish to make sense of their surroundings, and meanings are assigned, depending on what individuals/groups desire or value.   I'm not 100% on that, but I'm leaning strongly that way.   'Bad' is anything I don't want ... LOL EDIT *Might have to revise that a little.  Seeing Iraq being robbed of national treasures by US-Anglo capitalists is sickening.  I don't know what that is, but that's just not right. Manichaeism sporadic and intermittent existence in west incl. Spain France, northern Italy, Balkans, for 1,000 years (plus other regions) Manichaeans tried to assimilate their religion with Islam in Arab Islamic empires early period of the Arab Islamic empire, Manichaeism gained many followers significant appeal among Muslim elites / some became dualists Abbasids (early period) =  Manichaean persecution Third Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi persecuted the Manichaeans established inquisition against Manichaeans persecution ended:  780s 296 AD - Diocletian, Roman emperor ordered all Manichaean leaders to be burnt alive along with the Manichaean scriptures Roman successors = policy of persecution 382 AD - Theodosius I  = issued decree of death for all Manichaean monks religion attacked & persecuted by:     1.  Christian Church     2.  Roman state almost disappearing in Western Europe in 5th Century AD & from eastern Roman Empire in 6th Century AD Persecuted by the Chinese, as well Middle Ages - Neo-Manichaeism emerging movements described as 'Manichaean' by Catholic Church 1184 Inquisition:  persecuted as Christian heresies persecuted included: Cathar Churches of Western Europe Paulican movement (from Armenia) Bogomils, Bulgaria Mani seemed to be obsessed with 'evil' denied omnipotence of 'god' contended two opposite powers taught dualistic view of good & evil 'god' vs. 'satan' notions human / soul is battleground soul defines person - influence both light & dark very involved explanation re good, evil, World of Light, Shekhinas, fallen angel etc. Sounds like Kabbalah influence (I think) ... yep, I'd say so: Manichaeism evolved in proximity to 2 other new Aramaic religious phenomena 1.  Talmudic Judaism 2.  Babylonian Mandaeism (manda / knowledge) - Gnosticism, Southern Levant to Meso. Zbigniew Brzezinski used the phrase "Manichaean paranoia"  (2007) re US President George W. Bush's world view re Bush notion that he "is leading forces of good against the empire of evil" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaeism [info from various other Wikpedia, unless otherwise marked] Iranian-Indian Link Early migrations would perhaps explain the Aryan and Indian connection.   Early Aryan migration There was a split in the Aryans of what became the Iran variety, occurring in what is currently Uzbekistan. One branch of Aryans of the Iranian kind occupied the Iranian region and the other invaded the Indian region (the Punjab): source:  www.slideserve.com Vedic 1.  of or relating to Veda or Vedas, variety of Sankstrit     (or the Hindu culture that produced same) 2.  ancient Aryan / European settlers in India     originators of many of the traditions preserved in the Vedas *so far, the term 'Indo-European' makes no sense, when European/Aryan moves into Indian, rather than vice versa -  oldest body of sacred Hindu texts composed in Sanskrit - dating from c. 1000 BC Veda = 'knowledge' (Sanskrit) Hinduism - caste system - belief in reincarnation - belief in supreme being - opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth Sanskrit:  now used in India only for religious purposes   Know I've read about Mani before ... but I have trouble remembering this stuff, so I'm enjoying it all over again. Those photos of American capitalist troops in Iraq are sickening. *Finding it hard to understand the Iranian connection to India & Hinduism. Must be result of Persian Empire (or Iranian) expanse?  Given that sacred Hindu texts are in Iranic form going back to East Iranian Zoroastrian times, there must therefore be a connection between Zoroastrianism & Hinduism? *Stumbled on migrations.  So part of the connection between Iran (Aryan) and India is the Aryan migrations.

Altai

Siberian Ice Maiden Perfect Lake Kucherla, Altai Mountains Photograph:  Dmitry A. Mottl Golden Earrring - Pazyryk Burial Mound  Princess Ukok Siberian Ice Maiden Shoulder Tattoo 'Princess Ukok' 500 years before 'Christ' tattoos face-brush of horse hair eye-liner pencil long, wide woollen skirt (three horizontal sections) colours of skirt sections: crimson (top) pinkish-yellowish (middle) rich Bordeaux (base) woollen braided skirt belt long, almost knee-length light over-shirt round neck red lace braid decoration shirt garments made of silk & almost identically to those found (now) Xinjiang province of China design Chinese but silk used not Chinese silk possibly Indian or somewhere south of China light fur kaftan-style coat long narrow sleeves shorter at the front tail from behind decorated with leather and fur patterns patterns =  images of animals animals as symbolic guards & to identify ethnic group membership traditional Pazyryk patterns:  lion & deer on clothing & on decorative wall carpets 'Princess Ukok' had a shaved head, with no hair wore high, elaborate wig that remains intact base of the wig was a felt 'hat' two layers of women's hair were sewn into felt other black substance between layers red braided decoration made from threads bronze pin with a deer, standing on a sphere deer was made from wood, and was covered in golden foil giant feather, 68.5 cm long made from felt and covered with black woollen fabric with a stick inside, to stand upright headdress worn at burial & accommodated by coffin Pazyryk women - both of royal & lower status shaved their heads, but not always entirely therefore this is not a death ritual women kept plaits of own shaved hair with horse hair extensions linked to a universal understanding about hair long hair contains magical powers hypothesis:   hair style changes linked to marriage or children or death hair cutting symbolises the end of the previous life Siberian peoples shaved women's hair to mark end of childbearing age Such women were ready to travel to another world Boots high, above the knee, white felt 'tight' boots decorated with patterns also made from felt such boots worn by both Pazyryk men & women as protection against the fierce cold Coffin made of hollowed out tree Pazyryks were horsemen and women dominated Altai region of southern Siberia, esp. 6th & 3rd Centuries BC Ukok and her clan were fashion-conscious clothing not merely utilitarian Textiles woollen textiles imported to Altai source unknown source of dyes is 3,000 km from Altai Eastern Mediterranean third dyeing ingredient:  Iran, Mediterranean, China & India second dyeing ingredient:  Eastern Mediterranean use of combinations of tree colourants = very high culture of fabrics colouring by craftsmen shades of red & purple Ancient China influenced Northern Barbarians teaching them to use things eg. silk or massive bronze mirrors contacts between Pazyryks & Chinese kingdoms well established exchange or capture what they did not make themselves example of early bridge b/w great ancient cultural fiefdoms Pazyryks accepted & blended experiences & traditions of two great ancient civilisations fusion seen in clothes Pazyryk example synthesis b/w east and west, several hundred years before Alexander the Great's push for east-west melding small scale synthesis mixing of cultures mixing of Caucasian and Mongoloid synthesis, on a small scale, fruitful result:  Gorniy Altai Pazyryk culture Pazyryk burial horsemen costume = trousers trousers considered by Greeks & Romans as 'barbaric' Greeks & Romans did not accept or wear trousers [lol ... I love trousers & hate skirts] Pazyryk Warrior's Trousers Pazyryk trousers:  made of thick fabric / mixture of sheep & camel wool trousers:  red Pazyryk Warrior's Coat short sheepskin coat with no collar, with 'tail' tailcoat mirrors the female dress decorated with: leather patterns sable fur black foal's hair red coloured tufts of horse hair coat had no buckles x2 leather belts which held it together belt 1 = for bow case belt 2 = for warrior's knife & chisel long sleeves, which could be tied up with a cord became pockets to carry little things source http://siberiantimes.com/culture/others/features/fashion-and-beauty-secrets-of-a-2500-year-old-siberian-princess-from-her-permafrost-burial-chamber/ Altai Mongolian:  'alt' (gold) + 'tai' (with) Chinese name derived from Mongolian:  Gold Mountain Siberia is home ...

Planet Tokyo - Asahi Breweries

Planet Tokyo audio | #1 SAMURAI [CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE]  Samurai - Satsuma clan Boshin War period, circa 1867 [source wikipedia] Samurai military nobility & officer cast medieval & modern Japan originally 'bushi' (to attend upon) middle & upper echelons of warrior class usually associated with a clan & their lord trained as officers in military tactics & grand strategy followed rules, known later as:  bushidō samurai numbered less than 10% of Japan's pop. their teachings in today's Japanese martial arts & modern life Kabukimono or hatamoto yakko 1573-1603 AD 'Strange Things' or 'the Crazy Ones' from 'kabuku' - to slant or to deviate composed of:  ronin or samurai or men who worked for samurai families in peaceful times who formed gangs ronin 'wave man' - 'vagrant' - 'wandering man' term originated re serf who fled master's land later used for samurai who had no master samurai with no lord or master Japanese feudal period:  1185 - 1868 AD masterless from death or fall of his master (or upon loss of master's favour or privilege) Samurai Bushido Shoshinshu   (the Code of the Samurai) eg. to commit seppuku Japanese ritual suicide - disembowelment upon loss of master one who chose not to honour code was on his own meaning:  to suffer great shame Ronin, like other samurai, wore two swords also carried bo (to 6ft staff), & walking stick (yumi) weapons, depend on ryu (martial arts school they are from) in Edo period shogunate rigid class system & laws large increase in ronin in prior ages, samurai able to move b/w masters & have occupations could marry b/w classes but in Edo period samurai were restricted forbidden another master without master's permission samurai could not legally take up a new trade looked for other ways to make living with swords ronin who sought steady employment became: mercenaries guarded trade caravans; or bodyguards for merchants Others became criminals, highwaymen, or joined organised crime served as hired muscle for gangs, gambling rings, brothels, protection rackets petty thieves, muggers thugs, bullies, cutthroats, vagrants Kamakura & Muromachi periods warriors held lands that they occupied whereas, ronin was warrior who had lost lands small-scale wars in Japan in this time opportunities for ronin to serve new masters Later Edo period bond between lord and samurai was loose some left masters & sought new lords many served a succession of masters some even became daimyo (powerful feudal lords dai 'large' - 'myo' for 'myoden', private land subordinate only to Shogun most powerful feudal rulers 10th Century to mid 19th Century Shogun general - ie military commander hereditary military dictator in Japan 1192 to 1867 shoguns were de facto rulers of Japan although nominally appointed by Emperor as formality held almost absolute power over territories, via military means shogun's office or administration = shogunate known as 'bakufu' = tent office / government https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun kabukimono flamboyant dress, vibrant colours short kimonos with light weights in hem velvet lapels wide obi (sash) elements of European clothing or women's kimono used as cloaks kabukimono uncommon hairstyles & facial hair left to grow long  katana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckrycABiJDE katana traditional Japanese samurai swords curved, single-blade, slender, circular or squared guard long grip to accommodate two hands thrust in belt-like sash (obi) victory depended heavily on fast response times sharpened edge facing up intended to: strike target in a single motion usually paired with smaller companion sword pairing is known as: the daishō only samurai could war daishō representative of: social power and personal honour of samurai companion swords: smaller wakizashi traditional Japanese sword cases = koshirae https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana Kabukimono or hatamoto yakko 1573-1603 AD fancy hilts large square tsuba rounded or squared grip on sword round thing that would probably steady the grip / it is at base of sword grip, before blade look like a big button with a hole in the centre (for the sword) have pretty, ornate designs red scabbards, longer than normal scabbards are sword holders they're beautiful - many different designs, depending on culture some kabukimono (ronin or samurai) extremely long kiseru as weapons kiseru = Japanese smoking pipe traditionally used for smoking kizami finely shredded tobacco resembling hair rod with metal ends, extremely long kiseru could be carried as weapon status symbol for the owner, elaborately engraved commoners were prohibited to carry sharp weapon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiseru often very violent, rude cutting down people to try a new sword incidents of violence common eg. in cities Edo & Kyoto wrestling & dancing in streets common  fighting with other gangs at night thought modern yakuza originated from groups of kabukimono others believe yakuza origins in:  machi yakko (private police) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabukimono https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimyo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C5%8Dnin Bushido 'the way of the warrior' way of samurai life anologous to concept of chivalry in Europe samurai code of conduct frugality loyalty martial arts mastery honour until death Bushido from Neo-Confucianism influenced by Shinto & Zen Buddhism allowing violent existence of samurai to be tempered by wisdom & serenity developed: 1500s to 1900s possibly dating back to 10th Century Nabeshima Naoshige daimyo of Hizen 1538 - 1618 proved himself in battle 1570 assisted Takanobu at Saga Castle which was surrounded by 60,000 Otomo clan army versus Naoshige only 5,000 suggested night raid on enemy camp & successfully routed them inherited position from Takanobu (on death) "... it is shameful for any man to die without having risked his life in battle, regardless of rank ..." Seppuku (stomach cutting) Japanese ritual suicide / disembowelment originally reserved for samurai part of bushido honour code either voluntary, not to fall into enemy hands (torture) or as capital punishment for serious crime or bringing shame/dishonour performed as part of elaborate ritual before spectators plunge short blade (tanto) into abdomen from left to right, slicing abdomen open ritual standardised 17th century prior to standardisation, ritual much more painful on standardisation, kaishakunin ('second') appointed duty of kaishakunin to behead the ritual suicide agent at moment of agony kaishakunin is called 'kaishaku' ('nin' is person) suicide ritual agent spared prolonged death ritual is preserved in modern martial art:  iaido ritual varies, depending on fencing school all have steps in common: 1.  sit or stand close enough with katana to strike 2.  if seated, movements are ritualised 3.  when samurai performs seppuku he returns tanto dagger back to its place kaishakunin uses katana to strike back of neck of dying samurai Katana double handed grip for: precision & strength to cut must be precision controlled, cutting only half neck of samurai Intent to: leaving skin to hold head attached to body in single slash of katana Kaishakunin slowly, silently shakes blood on blade of katana movement known as:  chiburi katana returned to scabbard (movement called noto) while kneeling towards samurai corpse remains kneeling position as sign of deep respect to samurai in state of zanshin (total awareness) before standing & bowing to samurai corpse Execution Seppuku - some rituals no disembowelment just movement of dagger, stick or fan across stomach followed by beheading kaishakunin then becomes execution & seppuku becomes beheading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaishakunin jigai = suicide modern Japanese for suicide:  jisatsu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabeshima_Naoshige [ALL SAMURAI INFO FROM WIKIPEDIA] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8t0KTOeMPw Last Samurai Samurai Class Abolished 1867  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSgAAlE_4oc I'm liking all this samurai stuff.  It seems brave and admirable, but I don't think I'd make a good samurai.  I couldn't do the seppuku and I'd probably run away if attacked, but it must be really exhilarating to handle beautiful weapons quickly and effectively. Not sure how much samurai info I'll remember.  Don't yet have a feel for Japanese. The names of things are difficult for me. But I'll remember:   katana. Normally, I don't drink (even socially) ... which is just as well, because alcohol and me is not a good mix. Felt like I drink today, when I saw one being cracked open.  Looked inviting, and I like bubbles.  Having an Asahi Breweries beer (apparently, one of 4 largest Japanese brewers, founded in Osaka in 1889).   Tastes very light, even to a non-drinker.  Nice, though.   I'd planned to watch a heap of videos, but I'm not sure I can catch up with everything I want to watch. Attention span isn't what it should be; I can only handle small bits of info ... and I like pictures a lot.  LOL Dinner's easy, so it doesn't matter if I wind up pissed:  Thai Chicken Green Curry pre-cooked (frozen).  Just need rice and it's good to go after defrost and heat, and dollop of my fabulous home-made yoghurt.