REL-47213 credit hours

The Age of the Samurai

REL-4721 prerequisites

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EALC-2721Traditional Japanese Culture

REL-2721Traditional Japanese Culture

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Description

"Samurai" often evokes an image of a warrior entranced in the Bushido code, ready to commit harakiri upon command. This course demystifies such an aura surrounding Japan's warrior class by exploring their rise from Heian temple servants to Sengoku warlords and then their fall from Edo Japan's intellectuals and bureaucrats to the realms of the destitute. Sources include samurai autobiographies, their intellectual scholarship, and representations of samurai in contemporary popular culture.

Requisite courses

EALC-2721 or REL-2721 and permission of the Department Chair [prerequisite(s)].

Restrictions

Honours Form Required. Students may not hold credit for this course and EALC-3721 | EALC-4721 | REL-3721.

Cross-listed

REL-3721(3) and EALC-3721(3)/4721(3).

Lecture

From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.