*Sōhei: The Warrior Monks of Japan**

 Sōhei: Japan's Warrior Monks





The name "Sōhei" (僧兵), which translates to "monk soldiers" or "warrior monks," refers to Buddhist warrior monks who played key roles in Japan from the classical to feudal periods. These monks were more than just religious figures; they were great fighters with significant influence, compelling imperial and military regimes to recognize and collaborate with them.



### **Rise of Sōhei**


From the 10th to 17th century, the Sōhei gained popularity alongside the Tendai school of Buddhism. They protected their domains and frightened competing Buddhist schools, which had a huge impact on the spread of Buddhism and the development of many schools during the Kamakura Period.



### **Comparison of European Orders**



The Sōhei, similar to European lay brothers and crusading orders like the Teutonic Order, did not act as individual monks or temple members. Instead, they worked as members of big, extended brotherhoods or monastic organizations. Their home temples were frequently connected to a network of lesser monasteries, training halls, and subordinate temples. Enryaku-ji monastery on Mount Hiei in Kyoto and Kōfuku-ji in Nara both had substantial Sōhei armies.


## **Historical context**



#### **Foundations and Feuds**



Warrior monks initially appeared during the Heian period, when political feuds erupted between various temples and Buddhist sects over imperial nominations to high temple positions. Several temples in Kyoto, Nara, and Ōmi, including Tōdai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Enryaku-ji, and Mii-dera, were the sites of violent disputes.




The first known armed confrontation involving warrior monks was in 949, when monks from Tōdai-ji protested an unsatisfactory appointment. Such protests usually turned into brawls. In 970, Enryaku-ji founded the first army of military monks under Abbot Ryōgen, violating rigorous monastery rules.


### **Genpei War**



During the Genpei War at the end of the 12th century, the Minamoto and Taira clans sought the assistance of warrior monks from Nara and Kyoto. In one legendary fight, Mii-dera monks, united with Minamoto samurai, attempted to defend the Uji River bridge from Taira soldiers. Despite their best efforts, they were eventually vanquished, and Taira no Kiyomori ordered Mii-dera to be burnt.



#### **The Rise of Zen in the 13th and 14th centuries**



Following the Genpei War, the Sōhei focused on rebuilding their monasteries and political authority. They played minor roles in conflicts in the 13th and 14th century. However, violent confrontations persisted, typically over political and ecclesiastical appointments. In the Nanboku-chō era, Mount Hiei supported Emperor Go-Daigo's uprising against the

#### Sengoku Jidai and the Ikkō-Ikki



The Ōnin War in 1467 initiated a century-long civil war in Japan, leading to a restructuring of warrior monks. During this time, the Ikkō-ikki, a new warrior monk group, developed. Followers of the Jōdo Shinshū sect formed coalitions of priests, farmers, and families to defend their beliefs. They took control of various provinces and posed serious threats to samurai power, drawing the attention of warlords such as Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu.



## **Decline and Legacy**



### **Dispute with Oda Nobunaga**



In 1571, Oda Nobunaga launched a catastrophic raid on Mount Hiei, demolishing Enryaku-ji and slaughtering thousands of monks. Although the temple was reconstructed, the standing army of warrior monks was never restored.


#### **Conclusive Issues**



In a number of conflicts in the late 16th century, groups of warrior monks supported Tokugawa Ieyasu or his adversary Toyotomi Hideyoshi. When Tokugawa Ieyasu united Japan in 1603, bringing about enduring peace, the period of the warrior monks came to an end.



### **Armaments and Clothes**



Weapon-wise, the Sōhei were renowned for their skill with the naginata, yari (spear), yumi (bow), tachi (sword), and tantō (dagger). They donned samurai armor and frequently engaged in mounted combat. Their traditional clothing was made up of layers of robes that resembled kimonos, with white on the bottom and tan or saffron yellow on top. Tabi socks and either wooden clogs (geta) or straw sandals (waraji) were the footwear options. Many warrior monks also carried a sword draped over their necks and donned headcowls or hachimaki headbands.

Because of their varied backgrounds, the Ikkō-ikki had armor and weapons that was more diversified. They wore traditional monastic garments, a variety of helmets, and weaponry that included arquebuses and naginata. They were all united by a flag bearing Buddhist phrases like "Namu Amida Butsu" or "Hail Amitābha!"



### **Results**



The Sōhei were a distinct and formidable force in Japanese history, fusing martial skill and religious devotion. Their centuries-long influence shaped Japan's political and religious environment. Even in light of their collapse, their legacy is still an intriguing part of Japan's martial culture.


### **Frequently Asked Questions**



What were Sōhei's primary responsibilities?



From the tenth until the seventeenth century, the Sōhei controlled political and ecclesiastical affairs in Japan, intimidated other Buddhist schools, and guarded their temples.



**2. How were Sōhei different from monks who fought in Europe?**



Sōhei operated within vast, extended brotherhoods rather than small, individual temples, despite their concept being comparable to that of European lay brothers and crusading orders.


**3. What caused the Sōhei to decline?**



After Oda Nobunaga's assault on Mount Hiei in 1571, the decline persisted until Tokugawa Ieyasu united Japan and put an end to the warrior monk era.



**4. Which weapons were used by the Sōhei?**



Sōhei employed a range of weaponry, such as tantō, yari, yumi, tachi, and naginata. They also donned medieval monastic robes and samurai armor.



Ikkō-ikki: Who Were They?



During the Sengoku period, the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Buddhism was led by a coalition of religious conservative priests, farmers, and families known as the Ikkō-ikki, who fought for their convictions.

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