Japanese Samurai Class

Timeline

1. c. 900–950Kantō and Kinai regions · KinaiAs the court's direct military forces weakened, provincial magnates and appointed warriors organized bandō and jūzō around shōen, sustaining armed groups through mounted archery skills and land dependency, forming the early form of the samurai class.
2. c. 940–1000Shōen throughout Japan · JapanTemples, courtiers, and lords entrusted shōen guard duty, pursuit of bandits, and suppression of rebellions to samurai groups; samurai exchanged martial skills for land grants and protection, and the lord-vassal relationship and military functions became increasingly institutionalized.
3. c. 970–1000Bandō samurai circles · Kantō regionRepresented by samurai clans such as the Minamoto and Taira, samurai ethical concepts of lord-vassal loyalty, mounted archery, and military service obligations spread among local armed groups, and the retainer system and clan military organization grew increasingly mature.