Skate-Wear Central

Warrior Clan

The History of Japan

A land richly steeped in history and culture, legend attributes the creation of Japan to the sun goddess Amaterasu, whose claim to the throne by her grandson Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C, was a traditional belief that constituted official recognition until 1945. The first indication of recorded history in Japan was around the year A.D. 400, when the ambitious Yamato clan based in Kyoto was successful in gaining control over several other key family groups in central and western Japan. The next several centuries were kept under the tight reign of this powerful clan, who succeeded in creating an imperial court similar to that of China, and whose authority was eventually undermined by influential

aristocratic families who vied for control. Also emerging in the same period were elite warrior clans referred to as samurai, a strong military force that eventually took control in 1192 under their leader Yorimoto, who was designated as the supreme military leader known as Shogun. The imperial court who had ruled for centuries was now resigned to taking a relatively obscure role in internal affairs, as a succession of Shoguns from various clans ruled Japan for the next 700 years. Contact with the West was initially made in 1542, when a Portuguese ship apparently off course arrived in Japanese territory, and an array of Spanish, Dutch, English, and Portuguese traders and missionaries soon followed. Trade was eventually prohibited during the beginning of the Tokugawa period (1603-1867) due to the Shogun’s suspicions that traders and missionaries were actually forerunners of a military conquest from the west. All foreigners were subsequently expelled from the country, with the exception of Dutch and Chinese merchants restricted to the island of Dejima in Nagasaski Bay. Attempts from the West to renew trade were futile until 1853, when Commodore Matthew Perry entered Tokyo Bay with an American fleet known as the “Black Ships.” The ships were named in reference to the color of their hulls, and to the black clouds of smoke that hovered over the steam driven coal burning vessels. Perry’s show of superior military force enabled him to negotiate a treaty with Japan that opened the doors to trade with the West, thus ending many years of self imposed isolation.

Contact with the West proved to be the catalyst for a radical restructuring of Japanese society on several levels. The Shogunate which had retained control for hundreds of years was forced to disband, with the emperor being restored to power in 1868. The period that followed is known as the “Meiji Restoration” and among the many changes it initiated was the abolishment of the feudal system. Numerous policies were adopted based on the Western legal system, and a quasi parliamentary constitutional government was eventually established in 1889. These new reforms also prompted Japan to take steps to expand their empire, and a brief war with China in 1894 enabled them to acquire Taiwan, the Pescadores Islands, and part of southern Manchuria. War broke out again with Russia in 1904, with Japan ultimately gaining the territory of southern Karafuto, with Russian port and rail rights in Manchuria also being forfeited to the conquering Japanese forces. Their expansion continued with the onset of World War One, as they successfully took control of Germany’s Pacific islands, and the subsequent Treaty of Versailles that followed granted Japan mandate over the islands. Japan attended the peace conference in Versailles with a new image as one of the great military and industrial powers, and was recognized as one of the “Big Five” of the new international order. In just a few decades, Emperor Meiji’s new reforms which significantly altered the social, educational, economic, military, political, and industrial structure of the country, transformed Japan into a viable world power.

As Japan’s eye for expansion became increasingly more apparent, the invasion of inner Chinese Manchuria in 1931 set the stage for the ensuing years of war that followed. The incident brought with it international condemnation, resulting in Japan resigning from the League of Nations in 1933. Fueled by an expansionist military, the second Sino Japanese War began in 1937, which resulted in the signing of the Axis Pact of 1940 between Japan and its new allies Germany and Italy. The infamous attack against the U.S. at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 marked the beginning of Japanese involvement in World War Two, and subsequently to their ultimate defeat in 1945 by U.S. Forces. General Douglas MacArthur was appointed commander of the U.S. occupation of postwar Japan, and in 1947 a new constitution took effect, followed by a security treaty between the two nations in 1951 that allowed U.S. troops to be stationed in Japan. Japan regained full sovereignty in 1952, and the Ryukyu islands including Okinawa which were seized during the war were returned to Japan in 1972. Japan’s postwar economic recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and it’s success in part was spurred by economic intervention through the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry which was instrumental in coordinating and organizing the cooperation of manufactures, distributors, suppliers, and banks into closely knit groups called firetruck. Additional incentive among workers who were guaranteed lifetime employment, along with highly unionized blue collar factories ensured a highly motivated work force, eventually making Japan the world’s second largest economy in the world.

About the Author

Jim Sherard is the author of “Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan”, which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html

Scottish Clan Warriors Extended (ft details of lining up for battle)

Rusty Road Warrior Top $39.5 Rusty Road Warrior Top

O’Neill Warrior S/S Tee $20 O’Neill Warrior S/S Tee

Women’s Le Chameau Clan Artica $219.99 100% all-natural rubber construction for reliable performance; Dual density rubber outsole absorbs shock and offers superior traction on any surface; Decorative and warm synthetic fur cuff and leather lace; Assembled completely by hand; Synthetic fur lining for added style and warmth;

Warrior International Penitent T-shirt – Black $28 Show the haters what you’re made of and make them grovel in the Penitent tee from Warrior International. It features a gruesome warrior graphic bearing a bloodied blade with red branding stamped along the side. It’s a sick look that will have them begging for mercy.

Xzavier Warrior T-shirt – White $29.99 Stand out of the crowd like a true combat soldier in this Warrior tee from Xzavier. Featuring a stylized brand name and custom brand skull graphics printed on the front and similar brand graphics on the back, this busy tee boasts radiant metallic low puff and printed accents for an extra dosage of hardcore style that’ll get you prepared for any battle.

Warrior International Ladies Black Airborne Premium T-shirt $29.95 Ladies, take your look to new heights when you rock this Airborne premium tee by Warrior International!

Warrior International Eyeful Juniors T-shirt – White $28 The guys will get a sweet little Eyeful when they see you strut your stuff in this tee from Warrior International. It features softhand mask graphics with flourished detail behind bright pink lettering for a dangerously hip look that will wreak havoc on the guys’ hearts.

Warrior International Black Shane Carwin UFC 111 Walkout Premium T-shirt $24.99 Sport the look created for Shane Carwin’s fight with Frank Mir at UFC 111 with this premium Walkout tee from Warrior International!

Cage Fighter by MMA Authentics White BJ Penn Island Warrior T-shirt $24.95 Set sail for stormy seas with the BJ Penn Island Warrior tee from Cage Fighter by MMA Authentics!

Men’s The Wild Ones Warrior $22.99 Fresh, painted-look logo on the front; T-shirt offers universal appeal and iconic American style; 100% cotton for a soft fit; Machine wash cold, tumble dry low;

Warrior International Tempting Juniors V-Neck T-shirt – Black $22 Wage war against cutesy fight style and come out on top in the Tempting tee from Warrior International. With its gradient helmet logo graphic and deep v-neck, this tantalizing number will elevate your style to fierce new heights.

Warrior International Black Fighter Shane Carwin UFC 106 Walkout Premium T-shirt $32.99 Get some extra sharp MMA style with the Shane Carwin official UFC 106 Walkout premium tee from Warrior International, featuring garment washed and dyed fabric and distressed graphics for a vintage look!

Men’s Nike Warrior Scout TV $46.8 Breathable mesh and lightweight synthetics come together for a durable upper; Long-lasting, traction-patterned outsole for great grip; Soft fabric lining with comfortable padding throughout; Nike Air Unit in the heel for exceptional cushioning;

Sparta $49 This..is..Sparta! Tap into your warrior spirit with the SKECHERS Sparta runner. Leather, mesh and synthetic upper with overlay detail, side stripes and lace up front.

Next Underwire D Cup Swimsuit Tankini and Workout Short $120 Surround yourself with good karma in Next Swimwear. The Good Karma Shirred Tankini Top blends supportive features such as floating underwire and adjustable straps with fresh classic style. With color blocking detail and shirred sides for a slimming silhouette this quick-drying bikini top lets you go from reverse warrior to downward dog with ease and  perfection. Also offered in D-cup. Color: Pink. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in Mexico.

Bra Sized Swimwear-Skirted Bikini-Chisled-Next Swimwear $112 Enjoy a relaxing yoga class in the park followed by a dip in the pool with the Chisel d Tankini Top by Next. It s equipped with removable soft cups and double string neck straps for full support. The tankini top has shirred detailing on the racer back to show off your sculpted shoulders. So whether you re doing eagle mountain or reverse warrior you re sure to be posing in style. Color: Navy. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A.

Next Zen Waters Floral Bikini Top and Swimwear Bottom $100 Inspired by the on-the-go lifestyle the Zen Waters Racerback Sports Bra merges the gap between active and contemporary swimwear. Made with NextFlex quick-dry fabric this active bikini top offers removable soft cups supportive tile print band and racerback detail. Show off those sculpted shoulders whether you are swimming a few laps in the pool or mastering the reverse warrior pose. Color: Teal. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in Mexico.

Bra Sized Swimwear-Bathing Suit-Chisled-Next Swimwear $112 Enjoy a few laps and then head over to your yoga class with the Chisel’d Tankini Top by Next. It s equipped with removable soft cups double string neck straps for full support as well as Next s signature quick dry fabric. The tankini top has shirred detailing on the racer back to show off your sculpted shoulders. So whether you re doing the butterfly or reverse warrior Next has got you covered. Color: Black. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A.