Samurai (侍) were members of the warrior class who served as retainers to lords in Japan prior to the Meiji era. Samurai existed from the late 12th century until their abolition in the late 1870s during the …

Oct 8, 2025 · Samurai, member of the Japanese warrior caste. The term samurai was originally used to denote the aristocratic warriors, but it came to apply to all the members of the warrior class that rose …

Jul 5, 2019 · Elite and highly-trained soldiers adept at using both the bow and sword, the samurai were an essential component of Japanese armies in the medieval period.

Oct 28, 2009 · As servants of the daimyos, or great lords, the samurai backed up the authority of the shogun and gave him power over the mikado (emperor). The samurai would dominate Japanese …

Feb 10, 2020 · Here are 10 facts about the legendary Japanese samurai. 1. They are known as bushi in Japanese. The samurai were known as bushi in Japan, or buke. The term samurai only began to …

May 25, 2025 · The samurai were more than warriors—they were the soul of feudal Japan, embodying a balance of ferocity and refinement. Their code shaped centuries of thought, their discipline inspired …

Whatever happened to the samurai? The samurai were a preeminent class defending Japan for centuries. But as the Tokugawa shogunate ushered in an era of stability, the need for them faded,...

Jul 11, 2025 · The samurai of feudal Japan are well known in popular culture, yet the popular image of a samurai is merely a snapshot of centuries of evolution for this mighty warrior class. Here we will …

Jan 28, 2025 · The samurai, a class of highly skilled warriors, played a pivotal role in shaping Japan’s history and culture. From their emergence during the early feudal period to their decline in the …

A traveler's introduction to the samurai, the Japanese warriors and member of the military class of feudal Japan.