Sohei: Buddhist Warrior Monks of Medieval Japan

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Kings and Generals historical animated documentary series on the history of Japan continues with an episode on the Sohei warriors, also know as Ikko-Ikki, who despite being Buddhist monks took up arms and became one of the most fearsome forces in Medieval Japan during the Kamakura, Kenmu, Muromachi and Sengoku periods, at times successfully fighting the daimyo and their samurais.
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The video was made by Azabache Producciones, while the script was researched and written by Leo Stone
This video was narrated by Officially Devin ( / @offydgg & / @gameworldnarratives )
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#Documentary #Japan #Sohei

[@KingsandGenerals]

Something about ghosts and islands and nomads: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2K8kIRnrJKXlac

[@peymanmostafaei6963]

Do you possibly have any plan on covering sects such as Manichaeism or Khurammites? Also Kudos to you guys again for another brilliant video.

[@KingsandGenerals]

@@peymanmostafaei6963 oh, I really want to make one the Khurammites. Babak's rebellion is such an interesting event. Will look into that.

[@juliuscaesar8925]

I know this is not related to the topic of this excellent video but can you please make a video on the mughal Childs war. Its like a uno-reverse card of the Battle of Plassey

[@syedazam2568]

@@juliuscaesar8925 Yes, a Child's War video would make my day, considering there are enough sources!

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@KingsandGenerals please do on on the sikh nihang warriors /sikh warrior monks

[@robwalsh9843]

Shaolin: We're trained to fight and kill, but we don't want to Sohei: How come?

[@giadinhhang5988]

The emperors are always willing to remind us our place is not outside the spiritual realm that is why. They were very convincing due to their virtues, definitely not because of those scary soldiers and several massacres that they carry out.

[@UnexpectedWonder]

LOL. 😁😁😂😂🤣🤣😝😝

[@durianjaykin3576]

Lmao, i was thinking of them being like vikings for valhalla! Die in battle!

[@426mak]

Actually according to legend during the founding of the Tang Dynasty 13 Shaolin Monks fought alongside the Emperor, hence earning their order the right to wear Imperial Yellow.

[@ahumpierrogue137]

@@426mak It's no legend(well, maybe the just being 13 monks part and the Imperial Yellow part is), the Shaolin Monks did indeed support the Tang during the battle of Hulao pass(the real one, not the mythical one during the 3K era).

[@LeoWarrior14]

Samurai: "NooOOOoo you are literally priests and peasants you can't just militarize and defy our rule." Ikko-Ikki: “haha arquebus go boom”

[@ThienTran-hm2ku]

I think you meant "ara ara arquebus go boom" lol

[@thomasthetanderloin]

hey oda, how do you like our 3000 gun monks?

[@abcdef27669]

Oda Nobunaga: "Allow me to introduce myself..."

[@CBRN-115]

"What's that? I can't hear you over the sound of the wealth and power we're raking in!"

[@weldonwin]

@@thomasthetanderloin Monks with guns, Gun-Monks...

[@Killzoneguy117]

Buddhist monks in other places: "I'm going to light myself on fire in protest" Buddhist monks in Japan: "I'm going to light you on fire in protest"

[@CHRF-55457]

Lmao

[@marcusanark2541]

Good one!

[@Manoatevarua]

That’s not funny. The Buddhists of Vietnam were being persecuted by the Christian government.

[@CHRF-55457]

@@Manoatevarua Yes, yes. [-Everyone- You disliked that.] We all have our own sense of humor that we find funny. Move along now.

[@ScarletGalerne]

@@AeneasGemini It isn't just Japan, but in all cases they're outliers, violence isn't really compatible with traditional Buddhist practice

[@lordofd7111]

Interesting how we always hear of Samurai vs Ninja when Samurai vs Sohei just seems so much more compelling by comparison.

[@danshakuimo]

I feel like samurai vs ninja is popular because of the contrast behind the fighting styles and philosophies. Samurai, at least stereotypically were about using honorable tactics vs ninja who preferred to use what would be seen as underhanded. Of course this is a false dichotomy as many ninja were samurai and samurai was a social class, not absolutely a specific style of warrior vs ninja which is a style of warrior. But with the Sohei there might not have been a major difference in tactics, but difference in governmental and social philosophies which to me is more interesting on a macro scale than a fictional matchup.

[@redeemernigoohaem9735]

I wanna see Buddhist warrior monks vs anyone

[@MaoMoney]

In the 70s there were a ton of great buddhist monk type kung fu movies

[@dylanuttam2881]

@@danshakuimo Also, ninja weren’t even warriors, just spies

[@Shinobi33]

We not movies and or animes on this subject.

[@boldandbrash259]

The chances of being killed by a monk is low but never 0

[@ngoctrand.6032]

Well, the crusades showed the number is higher than that you said...

[@rezandrarizkyirianto-1933]

Foltest can attest to that

[@nonameisaname8480]

thanks vince carter

[@boldandbrash259]

@@nonameisaname8480 no probs

[@boldandbrash259]

@@rezandrarizkyirianto-1933 that's true

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Buddhist: “We are part of the world.” Soheis: “They are not part of this world.”

[@ElBandito]

Technically there were warrior monks across Asia, including Korea, China, and even Mongolia.

[@CBRN-115]

"Their existence offends Buddha"

[@maxsteel8031]

*Those who protect life, cannot ignore those who proclaim themselves enemies of life. The mandate of heaven presides.*

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

@@ElBandito Mongolia??? Tell me about those warrior monks of the Khan

[@MenRot]

@@shanedoesyoutube8001 The last Mongolian Khanate (Djungar) was Buddhist!

[@chiatok1]

Buddha: Peace was our only option Sohei: Peace was never an option

[@authorbhattacharjee4957]

I feel bad for Buddha

[@user-kt1lh5sz1i]

@David Anthony Ignore him. He's been making videos about why slavery is good

[@user-kt1lh5sz1i]

@David Anthony His reasoning is that Africans were the one that sold the slaves

[@sukitron5415]

@David Anthony yeah I saw this guy on another video trying to say vaccines were bad

[@YoutubeMadeMePickHandle]

@@scintillam_dei what?

[@abcdef27669]

Templar Knight: "Who are you?" Sohei Warrior: "I'm like you, but more Weaboo".

[@thomasthetanderloin]

good one, here, have my like.

[@johnsonzheng1728]

Take the LIKE!!!!

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

Sooooo what's the Buddhist version of Deus Vult???

[@thomasthetanderloin]

@@shanedoesyoutube8001 omae wa mo shindeiru

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

@@thomasthetanderloin nani??? No for real tho, what would be their equivalent of Deus Vult???

[@farzet90]

daimyo: "see those monks there in the mountain?" samurai: "yes sir" daimyo: "i don't want to"

[@user-kt6tk4dm4f]

Hai, daimyo-sama

[@Jobe-13]

_”Say no more”_

[@sharilshahed6106]

Sohei: NO U

[@sandhupamaliyanage2886]

like your entire history isn't riddled with terrorism committed by your own people.

[@giggymiggins2456]

Whatever you say, Mr. Nobunaga

[@The-Plaguefellow]

"Life is depraved and corrupt, that's why I'm setting you free of it!" - A Sohei Monk, shortly before the kill.

[@manusiabumi7673]

Nobunaga: no u *setting fire to the whole temple and killing everyone there Sohei: *surprised pikachu face

[@EinFelsbrocken]

Buddhists: Peace is the key. Free yourself from dependencies. Youll be reborn again and again until you eventually escape and reach Nirvana. Sohis: *ACCELERATE THE REBIRTH RATES WOOO!!*

[@moritamikamikara3879]

LMAOOO

[@kikoo8181]

Hahahahaha nice one!

[@thelogician3845]

Underrated comment

[@arbikiuszelemelek3347]

This is gold

[@hydrolifetech7911]

Wanted to give a like but it's 69 likes, so...

[@tetsu1000]

growing up in northeastern Japan, I was in the same grade with a goofy guy that repeated a year in high school. one day in history class, we heard his surname as the samurai clan that lost to Ikko-ikki. teacher explained he was a descendant of the exact clan that got driven out of Kaga province and escaped to the North.

[@haloskaterkid]

Togashi?

[@BenyOh]

Wahou

[@SReginaSmallo-0]

Bruh

[@luckystroke126]

If he was as sharp as hes ancestors its no wonder they lost :D

[@ElBandito]

Jesus and Gautama Buddha: Peace be upon them. Knightly orders and Warrior monks: Tear them to pieces!

[@yonathanrakau1783]

4rd crusader : Dandolo Vult

[@antokarman2064]

@@yonathanrakau1783 notice me dandolo-sama!!

[@sushanalone]

@El Bandito Monk: And where is my money bro?

[@natanlopes5254]

RIP AND TEEEEEEEAAR !!!!!!!!

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

Jesus and Buddha Yep, and that's how Japan gets Saint Oniisan

[@rizkaarifiandi5670]

Jedis : "we must not tempted by the dark side of the force" Ikko Ikki : "pffffft"

[@miked884]

Shoei: peace in this world is a lie and those who get in our way must die

[@JonatasAdoM]

Daimyo: "Those Ikko Ikki are terrorists!" Ikko Ikki: "No, we're monks. Now gives us your castle before we burn it in revolt."

[@Tareltonlives]

Ooh, can't wait to hear about the Ikko Ikki and warrior Yamabushi You could do a whole series on Warrior monks from the Military Catholic Orders to the Shaolin and Emei and other martial schools to the Nihangs to the warrior monks in India and Southeast Asia.

[@nunyobidniz]

*Shaolin!* (please)

[@chrissmith9040]

Damn there's more, how many warrior monk clans existed?

[@Cookiescool2]

*_sigh_* *_boots_*_ _*_up_*_ _*_Shogun_*_ _*_2_*

[@filipusandikawicaksana6822]

*Gets absolutely smashed by Ikko-ikki horde

[@filipusandikawicaksana6822]

@@superspies32 naginata with golden defence + tercos with golden accuracy + fire rockets + hill = otomogasm

[@filipusandikawicaksana6822]

@@superspies32 also don't forget nanban trade ship 😩👏

[@deeipomar2366]

True, I was gonna do the same after this video 😂😂😂

[@madwolf0966]

@@filipusandikawicaksana6822 god I love those mini Things

[@22vx]

See those monks over there on that mountain? Don't piss them off! ⭐ Thoroughly fascinating history and expert storytelling are a great combo!👍Another keeper, K&G! Thanks very much! 👻🎃❤

[@neighbor-j-4737]

That was pretty expert storytelling... Like the warrior monks, and all the other content on this channel, I imagine the person(s) who made this video are also, dangerously capable human beings... - Best not to underestimate an historian - Perhaps they too, are familiar with the blade... _______

[@skyraptor274]

Monks were emotionally detached hence disciplined. Discipline means better organisation. Better organised means lesser prone to panic in battlefield.

[@thejoin4687]

Lesser prone to panic in battlefield leads to.... suffffeerinng

[@lordofd7111]

Emotional detachment means having to deal with those same emotions catching up to everything you've done later.

[@deadby15]

Their warriors and peasants didn't fear Death, because Death=Salvation by Amida Buddha.

[@schizosamurai8840]

@@lordofd7111 thats the more common understanding, akin to for example stoicism buddhistic detachment stems from meditation practice, nurtiring the ability to detach oneself from their emotions and act uneffected by them. In practice, a practitioner is capable of seeing a window between stimulus and reaction, and in this window decide on how to act without the impulsive nature of emotions, effectively dissolving them. Reaching such state of mind is not easy tho.

[@lordofd7111]

@@schizosamurai8840 I'm familiar with this state of mind. It's the difference between feeling an emotion and being an emotion, where being is always a choice. That said, it's more difficult to stay mindful of it with the emotions you can't actually do anything with - the ones you just kind of have to suffer through. The easy path is to just bend them into anger, which from there you *can* control, but with the unnecessary risk of it easily spiraling out of your control. But it's far more correct to feel everything as it is rather than quickly try to turn it into something else as a matter of convenience.

[@SamuelHallEngland]

Sengoku Jidai and the Wars of the Roses have so much in common! The same time in history at opposite ends of Eurasia!

[@admiralsquatbar127]

I hear Warrior Monks I think Jedi. Kings and Generals: "Actual, they are more like Cosa Nostra" Me: "Oh..."

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

The what???

[@MrTitaniumFerrous]

@@shanedoesyoutube8001 Sicilan mafia

[@akashsasidharan9747]

The Jedi were notoriously corrupt as well, toward the end of the order they were used as mere shock troopers of the Republic to enforce their will forcefully over rebellious plantery systems.

[@LordVader1094]

@@akashsasidharan9747 They weren't corrupt, just blind to being manipulated.

[@kylepessell1350]

@@akashsasidharan9747 The Jedi Order pulled a lot of inspiration from Shaolin Monks. They have a militarist tradition similar to the Sohei but they didn't throw away the Buddhist rules regulating their secular lives. The Jedi aren't warriors first and foremost. They are simply monks who live their lives according to their belief in the Force. Their main mistake would be taking responsibility for maintaining peace and order of an actual intergalactic governing body and the fact that they actually managed to do that for thousands of years is pretty insane to think about. It definitely wasn't anything they were obligated to do. They choose to do it because they believed it benefited the galaxy.

[@drakoslayd]

Buddhist: we are peaceful Sohis monks: no we are not

[@Mrkabrat]

@@rj5848 And didn't do them much when China rolled in

[@Mrkabrat]

@@rj5848 My point was that being the real Buddhist country does nothing

[@JayFLee1]

@@rj5848 The Yellow Hats and Red Hats were so peaceful in their civil wars.

[@LamiNalchor]

@@rj5848 This is quite inaccurate.

[@username65585]

@@rj5848 Buddhists in Myanmar don’t seem very peaceful.

[@evand6817]

Man: "Hello your Eminence! I am honored you have come to my humble shop!" Monk: "Where's my money?" Man: "What?"

[@JayFLee1]

"DId I stutter? Where's my Buddhafucking money!"

[@lukegreen9352]

@@JayFLee1 lol

[@miked884]

Donate to my temple or buddha will not look favorably to you and your love ones (show weapons) oh i be taking your wife and daughters too

[@NYCfrankie]

Really enjoyed this i knew very little about the warrior monks of Japan I've read a little about them during the sengoko period but this was great to watch and learn something new

[@ReviveHF]

Some monks spend more time on arquebus training than actually praying.

[@papastalin1543]

Some? Most lol

[@Tareltonlives]

I remember Shaolin masters complaining that people would go to the monastery to learn fighting and then ignore the whole "medication and contemplation" part. And that's not even getting into the wild parties and fight clubs in medieval Catholic monasteries that the abbots had to keep breaking up

[@bclassic2474]

Praying is useless training pays off in actual battle

[@BossVonD]

This is my arquebus! There are many like it, but this one is mine! Sounds like a prayer to me

[@sushanalone]

Until the Bulletproof Monk happened.

[@voicelessglottalfricative6567]

They are basically Japan's holy knight orders (Templar Knights, Teutonic Knights, Hospitaller Knights)

[@awesomehpt8938]

One does not simply walk into ishiyama honganji!

[@annescholey6546]

Were they Hatamoto in a previous career?

[@circleancopan7748]

Look, Nobunaga burned Kennyo Honganji alongside his monks.

[@voodooozo3755]

Modern: *two spidermen pointing at each other* Medieval: *Sohei monk and templar pointing at each other*

[@mikairos]

Kings and Generals and Officially Devin’s commentary is a match made in heaven. Props to you all

[@ethan5354]

as a Buddhist, I never really knew about these guys so this was an cool topic

[@Mrkabrat]

There's something quite meta about hearing Devin talk about Ikko Ikki when he's played as them in Shogun 2

[@Banzaiiii2223456]

I like his Otomo campaign commentary walkthrough.

[@brokenbridge6316]

I have to admit this video was a good one. These warrior monks are not often heard about in todays popular culture. Which is a shame. Because they seem very cool. They deserve to better known today. My compliments to all those who made this video a reality.

[@jurtra9090]

Masters of Faith - Generals can convert provinces to the Ikko faith - Can recruit large units of Ashigaru, weak but with high morale - Can recruit superior warrior monks - Cannot recruit Metsuke

[@devildevious2646]

You make me happy

[@ichlalsulbulqiah1974]

finaly i found this comment

[@konkyolife]

僧兵　Monk Soldier. I’m a long term Japan resident and this is one of my favorite topics of history!

[@crazyloon6697]

Thank you Kings and Generals. I have wanted a good documentary on this group for a while.

[@nicobelic9034]

This video was insanely well done, completely enthralled me. I like this format the most, it's very captivating.

[@HistoryUniversity]

Thank you for teaching me about Buddhist Warrior Monks in Japan. Didn't know I needed this!

[@animeyahallo3887]

Would be waiting for an anime about this one.

[@SaikatChatterjee22]

there is already one ..... princess mononoke ......

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

@@SaikatChatterjee22 Calling Hayao Miyazaki's movies 'anime' is acceptable, but I don't think he would like that.

[@cesargonzalez4146]

@@SaikatChatterjee22 How is Princess Mononoke related to the Sohei or Shinshu buddhism? Of course one may find multiple interpretations in this story situated in an undetermined period of japanese history, but the main philosophic content comes from Shinto, animism and the japanese folk religion. The peasant revolutionary movement led by lady Eboshi is the closest parallel to the Ikko Ikki movement I can think about, they have a bitter disdain towards both the samurai and the forest spirits, and cheerfully play them against one another for their own benefit.

[@goldenfiberwheat238]

Japan would never make samurai the villains. They won’t even admit to 20th century war crimes. They don’t have the balls to besmirch one of their biggest cultural exports

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

@@goldenfiberwheat238 There's an anime named Dororo. I haven't watched the new version, but the one from the 60s shows evil samurai. And I've seen a few movies where they are evil.

[@samhuggons2879]

One of the best videos from you guys in the last year

[@GothicSword]

For a proper look at the sohei phenomenon, Teeth and Claws of the Buddha is a more academic book focusing at the historic validity of many of the stereotypes usually associated with "warrior monks", many of which don't hold up under a lot of scrutiny.

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

Sohei monk: ''You's better pay what you owe, or you's gonna have an unfoitunate accident !''

[@antokarman2064]

What happens when you replace new york mafia with japanese sohei monks

[@remito7839]

@@antokarman2064 New bestseller idea right there.

[@Jobe-13]

I swear, the artwork in this video is so satisfying to look at.

[@diogopinto6039]

Looking foward to the rest of the series!!!!

[@JamesJ422]

Absolutely amazing content

[@stevendern2543]

Samurai: You fool, don't you realise you're standing before a man who could run you through without blinking an eye? Monk: And don't you realise you're standing before a man who can be run through without blinking an eye?

[@EmpteeBluffs]

sus

[@HerralemanZyG]

K&G video about Sohei monks the same day AoE III is launched..... Magnificent

[@Real_Eggman]

What?

[@eliqfor1]

Exceptional work - many thanks

[@marioulloa2593]

There needs to be movies, comics, TV shows, anime and manga about these guys. In media its always just samurai and ninja

[@Mister-Six]

You should check out the comics called Shi by Billy Tucci. The main character is trained as a Sohei monk. Its set in modern times.

[@chrissmith9040]

These guys would make great Mortal Kombat characters, kinda like japanese version of Lui Kang and Kung Lao.😎

[@iLLeag7e]

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your channel. It's great!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@aegystierone8505]

Incredible. I've known about the Shaolin warrior monks of China but never heard of warrior monks in Japan.

[@stacey_1111rh]

Great animation on this one. Love this channel.I didn’t know much about this in Japanese history it was good to have it expanded upon

[@heilongwei731]

This was lot of fun and a great short on Sohei, an often overlooked or glossed over social phenomenon. Love the work you guys do here doing spotlights to show how some of the smaller history coincides or influences the grander and better covered events. It is difficult to find information on Sohei! There is a great read by Mikael S. Adolphson, "The Teeth and Claws of the Buddha" that challenges what we know about Sohei, positing that much of the ire and even the iconic looks are heavily influenced by revisionist propaganda during the Tokugawa Shogunate. An even more detailed and nuanced examination of the period by the same author, "The Gates of Power" , gives one of he best accounts of the many layers of social compilations leading to the rise of armed monks as part of a general breakdown of Imperial authority and as one of the many reactions, including the samurai Bokufu (military administration) that arose in parallel. Recommend either or both of these for anyone who is interested in Sohei, the Ikko Ikki, or in examining the complex and fascinating events of Japan prior to Sengoku Jidai that brought them to that series of conflicts.

[@justcallmeSheriff]

This video has me flashing back to all the Sonny Chiba movies my stepdad watched. Pretty sure some of those movies had plotlines about warrior monks and their rivalries.

[@johnredcorn4407]

Well done video, makes me enjoy total war:shogun 2 that much more, especially when I play as the ikko ikki

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , K&G .

[@TheShogunate]

Awesome Video!

[@asianchopsticks5048]

A video on the Burmese Siamese wars would be amazing!

[@gspar2083]

How outstanding their personal martial arts skills were is evidenced by Gochi-in no Tajima, who cut rain of arrows with his naginata. Jōmyō Meishū, who killed instantly twenty-three men with his bow and slew nine his sword. and Ichirai, who saved Jōmyō by jumping over his body. Even the enemy samurais praised these sohei.

[@kylepessell1350]

You didn't even mention Saito Musashibou Benkei? Who carried seven weapons, defeated and took the swords from 999 samurai in duels, and is one of the only warriors in history to have been acknowledged as dying while standing up because the enemy was so terrified of fighting him (he'd already killed 300 men by himself in that battle) that they peppered him with hundreds of arrows before daring to get closer just to buy time for his lord to commit suicide? He is probably the most famous sohei of all time.

[@ifl1476]

@@kylepessell1350 All legends none of this is real.

[@marvelloustraveller3559]

@@ifl1476 just because you are coward doesn't mean everyone else is like you. Legends are often based on real events.

[@DMurphyApple]

this is what im subscribed for- very good video about an interesting topic i knew nothing about

[@arminlee1477]

BEEN WAITING!

[@waffle-waffle5416]

"Hey Yamamoto, that's a nice looking shop you got there, it would be a shame if something happen to it" ~ some warrior monk in 16th Century Japan

[@sanjayraju988]

This channel has some extraordinary artwork in these videos, I would love to know who the artist is.

[@haenselundgretel654]

Wow! Extremely well told!

[@genneltorres4500]

The best documentaries Kings And General...

[@otomackena7610]

India still has some of the oldest surviving warrior monks tradition like Gorakhnath math which is a Nath monastic order of warrior monks from 11th century, Nihang of Sikh from 1600 'Akali Dal'( Immortal Army of God) it was raised by Sikh Guru to fight Mughals, before first war of Independence in India there was "Monk rebellion of 1770" lead by Daśanāmi Saṃpradāya "Tradition of Ten Names" a monastic order established by Adi Shankara in 8th century but they are not really warrior monk but took up arms during medieval India and British Raj

[@fjack1588]

Wow! Thank you, I knew nothing of this aspect of Japanese history-

[@BedeLaplume]

Great research work!

[@TheRealSantaGaming]

These are so well done

[@raresmincan634]

Sohei:Yes we may be Buddhist monks but we'll fight you any time!

[@tezcatlipocaone8796]

What kind of a monk doesn't Meditate. Using the word "monk", when they relate nothing to monks.

[@hugotirion493]

This video portrays Hokkaido as being part of Japan during the 16th century and its inhabitants as being Shinto/Buddhist. While Hokkaido was ruled by a Japanese clan, its people had their own pantheist religion. It would be more accurate to either exclude Hokkaido from these depictions or qualify its inclusion.

[@freakrx2349]

Wasn’t Hokkaido largely inhabited by the Ainu people?

[@freslieslieson9877]

@erick meyer yep. Before that they weren't considered as being part of Japan.

[@thejoin4687]

Ezo.

[@LordVader1094]

Ainu getting erased even from videos like this, bloody shameful

[@thejoin4687]

@@LordVader1094 Ai know.

[@nawab-e-trivandrum5526]

Love this video.... Love this channel....

[@johnquach8821]

Another great content.

[@isaweesaw]

Fantastic video all over. The artwork is great, and as a Buddhist myself, the explanation of the theological differences between most Buddhist sects and the sect the Sohei followed makes it a lot easier to understand their actions in context. Great to see some content on this since there is so little information available about it. Righteous Armies of Korea next?

[@ExcelonTheFourthAvalonHeirs]

Shaolin Warrior Monk: *beat the enemy with staff* Buddha bless you. Sohei: *stab the enemy with naginata* Buddha bless you Put the jokes aside, the Buddhism in Japan at that time practices vegetarian diet, but they eat fish.

[@rudman97]

Do you know Monks revolted several times during Muslim rule and British EIC period in India? In the so called Nath revolution, monks of the Nath community of Uttarpradesh state (in India), revolted against Aurangzeb and killed many mughals before being massacred by mughal army. Later, a great revolt arose among Naga monk community and whole monk community of India to overthrow British EIC period, which was causing famines all over India. This great Sannyasi Biddroha (Monk rebellion) was one of the precursors for 1857 sepoy mutiny and first Indian independence war.

[@theghosthero6173]

In the 16th century, shaolin monks used Iron staff while wearing leather armor and red face paint with a blue turban in the image of their god. Probably a strong fear factor

[@sushanalone]

@@rudman97 Did not know thanks for the titbit of info.

[@otomackena7610]

Yes Japan was pescatarian. From 6th century to 1800 meat was banned in Japan. In 1600 Christian missionaries briefly introduced meat but the ban was reinstated by Buddhist Tokugawa shogunate

[@ignaciotaborda6538]

I mean there are lots of people who doesn't consider eating fish the same as eating meat

[@AliMuhammad-cu2ok]

Very good video, loved it

[@deruiz1478]

Loved the Ikko-Ikki,

[@abcdef27669]

Funny (and unnecessary) fact: In portuguese language, "Sohei" almost sounds like "I am King" ("Sou Rei").

[@robwalsh9843]

I'm imagining some confused Portuguese sailor or merchant writing about an encounter with some Sohei "We met these guys with huge blades and white masks who are all king, apparently"

[@MarfSantangelo]

@@robwalsh9843 Sohei Long: "EVERY MAN A KING"

[@mariksolam5336]

@@MarfSantangelo if he breath he is simp

[@thelaziestguyuveverknown]

It also reminds me of "suei" ("I sweat")

[@giggymiggins2456]

Very necessary as I imagine Portuguese merchants were some of the earliest Europeans to reach the island. I'm imagining some awkward sailor thinking he's meeting the king of Japan by chance at the docks.

[@sandis7674]

ikko-ikki : " we're one of the most influential faction in japan, no one can make us bow down" *meanwhile nobunaga : " it will be shame if someone suddenly burn down your temple , oh wait "

[@circleancopan7748]

Sends in Mitsuhide Akechi to slaughter Kennyo's monks. All while Dairokuten Maou sounds in the background.

[@WellOilBeefHooked]

Very interesting. A bit of early Samurai too. Another vid continuing from where this leaves off would be good too.

[@robbabcock_]

Awesome video!

[@chaoticneutral7573]

Buddha Amitābha : - sight - whis is not what i wanted Jesus: welcome to the club pal

[@ryeryeryerye]

Lmao

[@0daadaadaa0]

*party, not club... after throwing down a grunt onto samurai's cart while backing away from Mount Nakatomi

[@myname-mz3lo]

the knights killed to spread religion those monks had revolutions against warlords that tore the country apart... huge diference.. one is a coloniser the other is trying to end the reign of war and bring peace to their country .

[@chaoticneutral7573]

@@myname-mz3lo still they used violence and controlled peasants. Didin't cared about celebacy and indulged into material and sencual pleasures. Buddhism is fully against harming any living being. Whis shows how humans can turn even peaceful philosophy and religion into the weapon. Also same goes for Christian monks. Its about corrupting whatever you can to serve your needs

[@myname-mz3lo]

@@chaoticneutral7573 that's not true. You don't need to be non violent and celibate to be buddhist. Only later buddhism like Chinese buddhism said that.. The buddha didn't. Find me in the Pali cannon what Sutta says that self defense is wrong. The buddha even got angry..

[@richpt3646]

They are just like the Teutonic, Templar and Hospitalar of the feudal Japan. Monk yet a warrior

[@lukebeer5169]

Shogun Total War vibes ❤️ love this period and your videos!

[@JoelMBarr-hh7vs]

I freakin' loved this video. Such good detail!!

[@chrisanduncensoredjapan6627]

Another thing, for the samurai the sword was a secondary weapon. Most used the spear, arquebus or bow. If the samurai in the pic is using his sword though, it means the warrior monk’s naginata has already taken out his primary weapon.

[@GingerSpy2]

Kings and Generals: Buddhist monk is devoutly pacifist man. 18 Bronze men of the Shaolin temple: Are we a joke to you? (bringing out the folding chairs)

[@antokarman2064]

*Proceed to beat up the former god of cookery for cheating at mahjong

[@brazy702seang6]

Really Japan and China is not the same like saying France and Germany is the same

[@gokhanbursa6227]

Your uploads remind me that I m alive please keep it up

[@shirowolfanimator]

This video is amazing i love buddhism and samurai history

[@rpast5656]

This topic is actually so sick !!

[@-RONNIE]

I like the video very much keep up the good work

[@hakan_ozdere]

At last 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻, thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@abthedragon4921]

These guys are so cool!

[@LordVader1094]

YES, I've been wanting to find out more about these guys for ages but it's so hard to find books on them! They're incredibly interesting, defying samurai rule for so long.

[@Hengtist]

Read 'The Teeth and Claws of The Buddha'. This book helped me understand so much more about the these monastic warriors. They are extremely complex.

[@MrSamosayoe]

Amazing video

[@angelobkoljenovic9528]

I enjoy your videos thanks

[@zako9396]

Samurai:'' I will crush you'' Sohei:'' Are you sure about that?'' 600 years later Samurai:'' Now i am''

[@AntonioBrandao]

What about the History of the Ninja? Would be awesome.

[@Estenberg]

great video

[@paladinbob1236]

always up for some great japanese miltary history ..but i note its rather had to find information on the battles during the onin wars...the two and fro , of the combats of that struggle, as i found it hard to research..perhaps that could be a theme for some of your vids? :)