Historical Nuggets

Bushido

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Bushido is translated in Japanese ass "way of the warrior". The Bushido is the code in which the  samurai live by. It was influenced by Zen and Confucianism. The Bushido helped the samurai maintain peace, and to drive out fear, ultimately making them fearless, the perfect warrior. The Bushido also said that the main duty of a samurai was to protect his master. If any demaned by the samurai's master was refused the samurai would have to kill himself so he wouldn't have to live with the shame. All in all samurai are very loyal because they follow the Bushido.  

Pagoda

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A pagoda is a tall structure commonly found in Japan. They are built several stories high, and are resistant to earhtquakes and typhoons in Japan, but because they are built of wood they are very vulnerable to fire.  Pagoda roofs are made out of heavy clay tiles. Because of the height and weight of the pagoda it is a wonder that they stay upright. The stories of the pagoda get smaller as the go up, and are built around 12 tall pillars, or the gawabashira. The gawabashira rest on horizontal bars which are then supported by taruki. The whole structure seems so unsteardy but remains strong under the greatest of presure.