Changes

A ''bushi'' usually became ronin in one of four ways:

A ''bushi'' usually became ronin in one of four ways:

*A clan or fief was defeated and abolished in battle, or the shogunate authorities reduced a fief in size or abolished the fief entirely (this is what happened with the well-known [[The 47 Ronin|47 ronin]] of [[Ako han]]  who eventually mounted an attack upon the man they saw as being responsible). The samurai involved all would become ronin.

*A clan or fief was defeated and abolished in battle, or the shogunate authorities reduced a fief in size or abolished the fief entirely (this is what happened with the well-known [[The 47 Ronin|47 ronin]] of [[Ako han]]  who eventually mounted an attack upon the man they saw as being responsible). The samurai involved all would become ronin. Unless the lord of that fief took his retainers with him to his new fief, the samurai in his service would become ronin.

 

*A samurai was dismissed from service by his daimyo.  During the Tokugawa era, according to the ''[[Buke Shohatto]]'', no daimyo was allowed to take into service a ronin who had been dismissed by his original daimyo.  

*A samurai was dismissed from service by his daimyo.  During the Tokugawa era, according to the ''[[Buke Shohatto]]'', no daimyo was allowed to take into service a ronin who had been dismissed by his original daimyo.  

*A samurai voluntarily left his fief, with or without his daimyo’s permission, and thus become a ronin.

*A samurai voluntarily left his fief, with or without his daimyo’s permission, and thus become a ronin.

*A ''bushi'' was born as a ronin; he was the son of a ronin.

*A ''bushi'' was born as a ronin; he was the son of a ronin.

==Ronin during the Edo Period==

==Ronin during the Edo Period==

Most Edo period bushi were not particularly skilled with swords or other weapons, even if they did study martial arts in clan dojo. During the Tokugawa era, most clan samurai performed bureaucratic duties for their fiefs rather than engage in war or martial pursuits. The reality was unlike what many ''chambara''/''jidaigeki'' films that are set during the Edo period show (i.e. most Japanese historical films).  Most Edo period samurai who became ronin would not be able to establish themselves as strong swordsmen who would bring justice and keep peace for commoners in exchange for room and board, as they do in many of these films.  Some Edo period ronin ended up selling their sword blades, replacing them with bamboo blades.

 

After a few generations had passed since the end of the Sengoku period, the majority of Edo period ''bushi'' became distanced from actual martial experience and were not particularly skilled with swords or other weapons, even if they did study martial arts in clan dojo. During the Tokugawa era, most clan samurai performed bureaucratic duties for their domains rather than engage in war or martial pursuits. The reality was unlike what many ''chambara''/''jidaigeki'' films that are set during the Edo period show (i.e. most Japanese historical films).  Most Edo period samurai who became ronin would thus not be able to establish themselves as strong swordsmen who would bring justice and keep peace for commoners in exchange for room and board, as they do in many of these films.  Some Edo period ronin even ended up selling their sword blades, replacing them with bamboo blades.

[[Kumazawa Banzan]] wrote a telling summary of conditions faced by ronin during the 17th century: "Today, the worst off of these people are the ronin. There are innumerable occasions of their starving to death during the frequent famines. Even rich harvests and the consequent lowering of the price of rice would not give much relief to those who are already hard up. Every year there are cases of starvation which are unknown to the general public."

[[Kumazawa Banzan]] wrote a telling summary of conditions faced by ronin during the 17th century: "Today, the worst off of these people are the ronin. There are innumerable occasions of their starving to death during the frequent famines. Even rich harvests and the consequent lowering of the price of rice would not give much relief to those who are already hard up. Every year there are cases of starvation which are unknown to the general public."

==Ronin during the Bakumatsu==

==Ronin during the Bakumatsu==

During the [[Bakumatsu Period]] (mid-19th century - 1868), many ronin found new opportunities to take action in the conflicts; many samurai left their fiefs and became ronin, joining up either with the Loyalist side (advocating the overthrow of the Tokugawa ''bakufu'') or with groups such as the [[Shinsengumi]] (advocating preserving the shogunate). These conflicts during the Bakumatsu period eventually led to the [[Meiji Period]] and ended the era of the ''bushi''. The final Tokugawa shogun abdicated in 1868. The ''buke'' fiefs were abolished in 1871. In 1876, the wearing of swords was outlawed.

During the [[Bakumatsu Period]] (mid-19th century - 1868), many ronin found new opportunities to take action in the conflicts; many samurai left their fiefs and became ronin, joining up either with the Loyalist side (advocating the overthrow of the Tokugawa ''bakufu'') or with groups such as the [[Shinsengumi]] (advocating preserving the shogunate). These conflicts during the Bakumatsu period eventually led to the [[Meiji Period]] and ended the era of the ''bushi''. The final Tokugawa shogun abdicated in [[1868]]. The daimyô domains were [[abolition of the han|abolished]] in [[1871]]. In 1876, the wearing of swords was outlawed.

==References==

==References==

* [[John Hall|Hall, John Carey]], translator. ''Buke Shohatto (The Tokugawa Legislation, Yokohama 1910)''.  This is the text of the laws that mainly concern the conduct and behavior of those in the Buke class during the Tokugawa period.

* [[John Hall|Hall, John Carey]], translator. ''Buke Shohatto (The Tokugawa Legislation, Yokohama 1910)''.  This is the text of the laws that mainly concern the conduct and behavior of those in the Buke class during the Tokugawa period.

 

* Kumazawa Banzan, translated from Japanese by Tsunoda Ryusaku, William Theodore de Bary, and [[Donald Keene]]. "Development and Distribution of Wealth" included in ''Sources of Japanese History'', Vol. I, compiled by Tsunoda Ryusaku, William Theodore de Bary, Donald Keene (Columbia University Press, New York, 1958 ) Kumazawa Banzan was a late 17th century bushi who was born a ronin and lived much of his life as a ronin. He was a poltical reformer who wrote many treatises.  In this particular article, he discussed the general economy, the reform of government; among other points, he advocated relief for ronin suffering hardships.

* Kumazawa Banzan, translated from Japanese by Tsunoda Ryusaku, William Theodore de Bary, and [[Donald Keene]]. "Development and Distribution of Wealth" included in ''Sources of Japanese History'', Vol. I, compiled by Tsunoda Ryusaku, William Theodore de Bary, Donald Keene (Columbia University Press, New York, 1958 ) Kumazawa Banzan was a late 17th century bushi who was born a ronin and lived much of his life as a ronin. He was a poltical reformer who wrote many treatises.  In this particular article, he discussed the general economy, the reform of government; among other points, he advocated relief for ronin suffering hardships.  

 

* [[George Sansom|Sansom, George]]. ''History of Japan: 1615-1867'', Stanford University Press June, 1963.  This is a text of the general history of Japan during the Tokugawa period.  There is a section that contains a general summary of how ronin fared during this time, including brief accounts of two different ronin rebellions.

* [[George Sansom|Sansom, George]]. ''History of Japan: 1615-1867'', Stanford University Press June, 1963.  This is a text of the general history of Japan during the Tokugawa period.  There is a section that contains a general summary of how ronin fared during this time, including brief accounts of two different ronin rebellions.

 

* Tokitsu Kenji, translated from French by Cherad Kodzin Kohn. ''Miyamoto Musashi, His Life And Writings'', Weatherhill; New Ed edition, June, 2006. A detailed biography and analysis of Miyamoto Musashi. Among other topics, discusses the particular issues that faced Miyamoto, a ronin who spent most of his life engaged in a musha shugyo.

* Tokitsu Kenji, translated from French by Cherad Kodzin Kohn. ''Miyamoto Musashi, His Life And Writings'', Weatherhill; New Ed edition, June, 2006. A detailed biography and analysis of Miyamoto Musashi. Among other topics, discusses the particular issues that faced Miyamoto, a ronin who spent most of his life engaged in a musha shugyo.  

 

* Yamakawa Kikue, translated by Kate Nakai. ''Women of the Mito Domain: Recollections of Samurai Family Life'', Stanford University Press, March, 2001. Not very much specifically about ronin, but good information about samurai clan life during the late Tokugawa period.

* Yamakawa Kikue, translated by Kate Nakai. ''Women of the Mito Domain: Recollections of Samurai Family Life'', Stanford University Press, March, 2001. Not very much specifically about ronin, but good information about samurai clan life during the late Tokugawa period.

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Terminology]]

[[Category:Terminology]]