Changes

During the Sengoku era (1467-1603), there were numerous inter-clan conflicts. Many samurai changed masters during this time. A ''bushi'' who came from a defeated clan could attach himself to another clan and serve as a samurai retainer. It is unclear as to whether or not there were greater numbers of ronin (created by the defeat of clans) or whether there were greater numbers of daimyo seeking samurai retainers during this time. This situation probably would have fluctuated according to specific conditions and events.

During the Sengoku era (1467-1603), there were numerous inter-clan conflicts. Many samurai changed masters during this time. A ''bushi'' who came from a defeated clan could attach himself to another clan and serve as a samurai retainer. It is unclear as to whether or not there were greater numbers of ronin (created by the defeat of clans) or whether there were greater numbers of daimyo seeking samurai retainers during this time. This situation probably would have fluctuated according to specific conditions and events.

After the [[battle of Sekigahara]] in 1600, [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] emerged triumphant, becoming the first of a long line of Tokugawa shoguns and establishing peace and order throughout the country that lasted over 250 years. Many fiefs, mainly those connected with the [[Toyotomi clan]], were abolished during the years following the 1615 [[siege of Osaka]] in which the Toyotomi were defeated. At that time, around 500,000 ronin existed, without any income or means of support.  These unengaged ''bushi'' were a persistant problem for the Tokugawa ''bakufu''. There were at least two ronin rebellions during the 17th century.  The first was led by [[Yui Shosetsu|Yui Shôsetsu]], which was aborted before the actual attack; Shôsetsu and some colleagues disemboweled themselves before capture, while other conspirators were captured, tortured and executed. There was a second unsuccessful ronin rebellion in the latter part of the 17th century.  The Tokugawa ''bakufu'', at the beginning and middle of the 17th century, engaged in a campaign of suppression, advising daimyo against allowing ronin from entering their fiefs; law-abiding ronin engaged in making some sort of living were allowed to stay. Later on, more liberal government policies were put into place; daimyo and officials were encouraged to take more ronin into their service as samurai. However, this option only could serve a minority of ronin; in an era of peace, few clans needed the large number of samurai that they would need in times of war.  The majority of ronin were basically left to fend for themselves. By the time of the end of the 17th century, the number of ''bushi'' – clan samurai plus ronin – had been reduced considerably.

After the [[battle of Sekigahara]] in 1600, [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] emerged triumphant, becoming the first of a long line of Tokugawa shoguns and establishing peace and order throughout the country that lasted over 250 years. Many fiefs, mainly those connected with the [[Toyotomi clan]], were abolished during the years following the 1615 [[siege of Osaka Castle]] in which the Toyotomi were defeated. At that time, around 500,000 ronin existed, without any income or means of support.  These unengaged ''bushi'' were a persistant problem for the Tokugawa ''bakufu''. There were at least two ronin rebellions during the 17th century.  The first was led by [[Yui Shosetsu|Yui Shôsetsu]], which was aborted before the actual attack; Shôsetsu and some colleagues disemboweled themselves before capture, while other conspirators were captured, tortured and executed. There was a second unsuccessful ronin rebellion in the latter part of the 17th century.  The Tokugawa ''bakufu'', at the beginning and middle of the 17th century, engaged in a campaign of suppression, advising daimyo against allowing ronin from entering their fiefs; law-abiding ronin engaged in making some sort of living were allowed to stay. Later on, more liberal government policies were put into place; daimyo and officials were encouraged to take more ronin into their service as samurai. However, this option only could serve a minority of ronin; in an era of peace, few clans needed the large number of samurai that they would need in times of war.  The majority of ronin were basically left to fend for themselves. By the time of the end of the 17th century, the number of ''bushi'' – clan samurai plus ronin – had been reduced considerably.

==Ronin during the Edo Period==

==Ronin during the Edo Period==