I was reading Secrets of the Samurai by Ratti and Westbrook, which relates that samurai, even in the state of being lordless ronin, did not associate with the peasantry, nor any other social class if possible. A direct quote reads “he was and remained always a warrior, with a sustained belief in his continuing military status…”. If anything then, samurai and ronin alike were seen as a distinct class of people, whom the public had to rely on, but did not favour. There may be some hero worship, but if history reads as true the military class was seen more as a burden than a saviour. Certainly the civilians or heimin did not consider themselves part of the bushi or warriors, nor the reverse.

This is deeply applicable to Claymore. The Organisation and its warrior-servants are seen as a distinct part of society. They exist as protectors to the humans, but there is no friendly relationship present. Much like the samurai must have been, the Organisation is seen as a sinister force — able to protect, for a price. The difference here between samurai proper and the Claymore is that the former offered his service out of duty. The latter is more like the ronin to some degree, for a price is affixed to her deeds, and where the samurai might have respect in civilian circumstances, a Claymore, like a ronin, is seen as untrustworthy and suspicious.

There are of course circumstances which make the two different, but alienation seems to be a key factor in both. Claymores are distanced from regular society by their yoma halves, while ronin were distanced by their lordless status. Further, neither possesses the desire to be reintegrated with society. The Claymore thinks of herself as above humans, while the ronin thinks of himself as above civilians. There are some very interesting comparisons to draw upon.

I think this is why Claymore could only really be written from a Japanese perspective on history. Whether or not it is intentional, the author has clearly been influenced by feudal Japanese military history and its traditions. One may excuse the entire affair as being too similar to Vampire Hunter D or other such series’, but that seems to be a fallacy. It is much closer to something like the… Oh oh! 47 Ronin.

Funny that, eh?