Sohei - the story of the rise and fall of the Japanese monk knights

Medieval Japan was an amazing country in which great importance was attached to the cult of the sword, or rather, the katana. However, the cult of the sword was not limited to the well-known samurai and ninjas but went far beyond the boundaries of traditional military relations. One such example would be the Sōhei, the warrior monks who were considered one of the most formidable forces in feudal Japan. Unlike ordinary warriors, the Sōhei were a fanatical and strictly organized structure that enjoyed such authority that they could often go against both the shogunate and the imperial power. In their structure and meaning, the Sōhei warriors were reminiscent of Christian knightly brotherhoods, such as the Templars and Teutons.
The history of Sōhei warriors begins in the Heian era at the turn of the 10th century. At that time, all power in Japan belonged to the emperor, who could appoint officials to any government position. In turn, imperial officials had the right to appoint abbots of Buddhist monasteries that belonged to their province.
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[@user-kv1ce3dq8t]

The main monasteries and fortresses of the monks were burned, and the most impregnable castles were simply starved to death.

[@Interestingtoknow11]

However, the cult of the sword was not limited to the well-known samurai and ninjas but went far beyond the boundaries of traditional military relations.

[@sergeimasljuk5118]

At that time, all power in Japan belonged to the emperor, who could appoint officials to any government position.

[@InnaPolonskaia]

It so happened that Nobunaga and his entourage considered the Sōhei warriors to be enemies of the samurai, and therefore they were subject to destruction.

[@PolinaGurova-yb5bs]

This division of territories continued for almost a century, until Oda Nobunaga, the great unifier of Japan, appeared on the scene.

[@Alltimestories1]

Medieval Japan was an amazing country in which great importance was attached to the cult of the sword, or rather, the katana.

[@RelaxwithMarika-nu8hf]

In turn, imperial officials had the right to appoint abbots of Buddhist monasteries that belonged to their province.

[@user-hv8st1nx1y]

They supported the nominal Shogun of the Ashikaga clan, hoping for a better future. This was a serious mistake. The shogunate was soon defeated, and Nobunaga took up Sōhei.

[@ray-thebestdogever]

One such example would be the Sōhei

[@sergeimasljuk2955]

The history of Sōhei warriors begins in the Heian era at the turn of the 10th century.

[@peace-tt6sj]

🙏🏽

[@AjninHaru]

The “Tootins”?….lol