Changes

==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.  Some Edo period ronin ended up selling their sword blades, replacing them with [[shinai|bamboo blades]].

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.  Some Edo period ronin 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."

A ronin with a family or who desired a more settled life would have a few other options, most which were not related to martial arts.  He could teach in ''[[terakoya]]'' (neighborhood temple schools for commoner’s children). Sometimes, as depicted in some films, a ronin would earn his living, engaging in piecework handicrafts, fashioning fans, umbrellas, inkbrushes, insect cages, women’s hair combs and the like, selling his handcrafted wares to wholesalers; these were occupations also performed by low-ranking clan samurai needing extra earnings to survive.   

A ronin with a family or who desired a more settled life would have a few other options, most which were not related to martial arts.  He could teach in ''[[terakoya]]'' (neighborhood temple schools for commoner’s children). Sometimes, as depicted in some films, a ronin would earn his living, engaging in piecework handicrafts, fashioning fans, umbrellas, inkbrushes, insect cages, women’s hair combs and the like, selling his handcrafted wares to wholesalers; these were occupations also performed by low-ranking clan samurai needing extra earnings to survive.   

A ronin was able to renounce his ''buke'' status and become either a farmer, artisan, or merchant; this option would likely become feasible only if he had connections with well-established commoner families to acquire land or learn a trade.

A ronin was able to renounce his ''buke'' status and become either a farmer, artisan, or merchant; this option would likely become feasible only if he had connections with well-established commoner families to acquire land or learn a trade.

==Ronin during the Bakumatsu==

==Ronin during the Bakumatsu==