1800s Japan - Samurai: 4pc Coin Set (1&2 Bu/Shu) - PCGS Certified

The samurai were the warrior class of japan most remembered for there strict sense of honor and ferocity in battle. Samurai were expected to embody the eight virtues of Bushido; Morality, Courage, Compassion, Politeness, Sincerity, Respect, Loyalty and Self control. This rounded them into a noble leader and competent warrior. Bushido or “The Warriors path” pushed the idea of loyalty above all making the Samurai loyal to their lord even in the face of death. In fact it was expected for any samurai to willingly offer his life if it would benefit his lord. This attitude of service-before-self shaped them into the feared and respected face of Japan. The coins in this set represent examples of the money carried by the iconic warriors of the emperor.

• Miyamoto Musashi - The Sword Saint: Musashi was born 1584 and died in 1645. He is considered the Kenshi, or Sword, saint of Japan. He is renowned for his undefeated dueling record of 61 duels. The next closest to him recorded 33. Musashi's most famous duel was against Sasaki Kojiro, a well respected and feared swordsmen of the same era. The morning of the duel Musashi was late, leading the witnesses to believe that he had fled in fear. In reality, Musashi had been transported to the island by local fisherman and arrived late to unnerve Kojiro. On the ride over Musashi took and fashioned an ore into a wooden sword. When Musashi arrived Kojiro was enraged by the lack of respect given to him. The duel began, and Musashi was able to goad Kojiro into a rage filled first strike. This attack, unfortunately for Kojiro, would be his last.Musashi had used the wooden ore to brake Kojiro's ribs and puncture his lungs. He would slump to the ground and die from his wounds.
• Saigo Takamori - The Last True Samurai: Takamori is easily one of the most important samurai in Japan's history. He is often titled as The Last True Samurai. Most notably he was the leader of the Satsuma Rebellion. In 1877 Japan's government was finishing up aboloshing many of the privelages once held by the Samurai Class. The writing was on the wall, and the end of the era of samurai was near. High tension would soon lead to an all-out rebellion as Japan's government would try to confiscate the arsenal of weapons held by some of the samurai. Takamori was shot through the hip and is said to have committed ritual suicide on the battlefield. This was considered a very traditional and respected way to die. Bushido, and everything that the samurai believed in, Japan's new government had forgotten.
• Benkei - The Ogre Monk: Legend states that Benkei was born a hideous child with the appearance of Oni devils of Japanese myth. His family would give him up to be raised by monks. As he grew older, he became a large hulk of a man. He soon developed a liking for dueling with samurai that he felt were smug or unworthy of their status. Legend states he completed countlessduels. On one such occasion, he picked a fight with a young samurai named Yoshitsune. Surprisingly Yoshitsune crushed Benkei with his speed and swordplay. Stunned by his first loss, Benkei pledged himself to the young samurai and became his close second. Unfortunately his new life would not last forever, after many battles he and his master found themselves surrounded in castle Takadachi. Benkei would hold the bridge leading to the castle and slay between 300 to 600 trained samurai depending on the various accounts. He would eventually be overcome and filled with arrows. Though no man dared approach him for fear he was still alive as he had died standing up protecting his master's door.