To the north of the Ancient Japanese state, in what is today mainly Tohoku, Japan fought a series of wars against the Emishi–the people who, in ancient texts, are described as the “northern barbarians”. Over a series of decades the Emishi (who some believe to be related to the Ainu) were defeated and brought into the Japanese state. And, it is from their ranks that some of the first samurai were drawn.
SOURCES:
Beyond the Pale, Friday
Hired Swords, Friday
Japan Emerging, Friday
Premodern Japan: A Historical Survey, Hane & Perez
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