This question is in two parts; first off, would you consider the samurai to be comparable to a standing army? Why or why not? Does the time period matter, since invasions were fewer and further between? Or could the weaponry being so much different really not require a large group of soldiers on-call sort of like our national guard? Second, what are the benefits and drawbacks of a standing army? I am not talking specifically samurai, but you can most certainly include them if you want! Consider population of a nation such as this vs that of a nation like Japan, where the ports and major cities are, etc. Aim for two paragraphs, one to answer each question.

This question is in two parts; first off, would you consider the samurai to be comparable to a standing army? Why or why not? Does the time period matter, since invasions were fewer and further between? Or could the weaponry being so much different really not require a large group of soldiers on-call sort of like our national guard? Second, what are the benefits and drawbacks of a standing army? I am not talking specifically samurai, but you can most certainly include them if you want! Consider population of a nation such as this vs that of a nation like Japan, where the ports and major cities are, etc. Aim for two paragraphs, one to answer each question.