Growing Up Manly: Male Samurai Childhood in Late Edo-Era Tosa

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions relevant to the lecture on male samurai childhood in Edo-era Japan.

Samurai

The warrior-bureaucrats who constituted the ruling class in the Edo period (1600–1868) and occupied the highest levels of both government and military.

Rōnin

A lordless samurai who has lost his position and status, often due to punishment for a crime.

Genpuku

The public ceremony marking a male samurai's transition to adulthood, typically involving a new hairstyle around age sixteen or seventeen.

Kamioki ceremony

A ceremony allowing parents to let their toddlers grow out their hair as a form of social recognition.

Half-adulthood

A ceremony that indicates a young samurai boy is transitioning into adult responsibilities, often associated with specific changes in appearance.

Emotional repertoire

The set of rules governing emotional expression within a familial context, shaping how sentiments are communicated.

Infanticide

The act of intentionally causing the death of an infant, which was more common historically due to various social pressures.

Beriberi

A disease caused by thiamine deficiency, affecting health, mobility, and development, particularly in samurai diets reliant on polished rice.

Lead poisoning

Health risks incurred by samurai children due to lead-based cosmetics used by mothers, potentially leading to developmental issues.

Household continuity

The concept referring to maintaining the family legacy and status, essential in samurai culture, often stressing the need for male heirs.