Dying A Good Death

It is 1876 and I am still here observing the way of the Samurai. I have learned a lot but still do not understand completely their way of life. I have met many people who are proud to share with me their ways, but still the Samurai amaze me. The Samurai live for one thing, to protect their emperor. They believe that protecting the emperor is their duty and they do it faithfully. Many Samurai have died serving and were proud to die. To the Samurai dying in battle is a “good death”; a “good death” is an honorable or acceptable way to die. They believe that all Samurai should die a good death, and most would rather die in battle than live. Dying a “good death” is important to the Samurai however most do not understand. When I first arrived here I was one of those people, only recently, after being here for many months, I am starting to understand them. To be a Samurai is a great honor; it is extremely hard and very dangerous but becomes a way of life. The only way to end this life is to die a “good death”. To die otherwise takes away the honor of the previous life. Many Samurai would rather kill themselves in a “good death” than take actions that could take away their honor. In being a Samurai honor is very important and stays with you even after you die. I came to this village after the first battle of this war, although the victory was the Samurai’s many Samurais were lost. Though they died a “good death” most of the women and children have a hard time understanding. They do not share the bushido ways as the warriors do. They know their loved ones death bestowed them with honor but don’t accept it as easily as the other Samurai warriors do. Each battle that they fight in the Samurai know there is a chance of dying, however unlike other soldiers the Samurai are not afraid to die but hope that if they must die it will be in battle. The Samurai warriors can also die a good death by performing Seppuku, a Samurai from of suicide. The ultimate goal of the Samurai is to serve their emperor and die a “good death”. When first becoming a Samurai they receive a sword which is said to be their soul. If a Samurai is to perform Seppuku they are killed with their own sword as a way of keeping their soul. When in battle some Samurai warriors would kill themselves to avoid being taken by the enemy. Being captured was a dishonorable act and resulted in a “bad death”. The Samurai see being captured as dishonorable and because of this they usually do not take prisoners of war. I have been here in the Samurai village for four months now, I am slowly learning the ideas that young children are taught so they too can become Samurai warriors. I find it hard to believe that customs that I barely understand are taught to such young children. When living the life of the Samurai honor comes first and I can see that all around me the Samurai have great honor in what they are doing and what they believe in. A “good death” might seem ridiculous to outsiders but here it is what everyone hopes for to end their life.