The Origins of the Samurai
Before 646, Japan was undergoing a series of reforms called the Taika reforms. This included heavy taxation and land redistribution in order to support an empire. Unfortunately for the poorest in society, it meant selling their land and working as tenant farmers, creating a powerful and wealthy class of landowners, similar to the feudal system in medieval Britain. The need for protection led to the creation of samurai soldiers; samurai warriors had to be solely loyal to their master. Some were members of this class of landowners, while others were hired and financially dependent on their master.