“The samurai had a significant impact on Japanese society and culture.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the samurai had a significant impact on Japanese society and culture. Consequences may extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may discuss the establishment of the feudal relationship between “lord” and “servant” as the samurai became the ruling class of Japan. Samurai practices became part of Japanese cultural practice, based upon the concept of bushido, which was only codified in the 17th century. Candidates may discuss the cruelty in war which is well attested in this period, despite later depictions of samurai honour. As samurai developed into the lords of the new feudal system, more leisure time was available for the development of scholarly pursuits, but the extent to which these practices trickled down to other sections of Japanese society is debatable. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.