Samurai

From the earliest times, Japan had been ruled by an emperor. He was rich and lived in a big palace in Kyoto, and was treated almost like a God. He never made any public appearances and his government was badly organised. By the 12th century the Emperor started losing his power and could no longer make the rich and powerful lords obey him. They would not pay their taxes and refused to give the Emperor soldiers for his army.

The government and army became so weak that they could not enforce the law. The country was filled with bands of robbers. Rich landowners needed protection and ...