The samurai (侍) were members of the professional warrior class in pre-industrial Japan, who served as retainers to the lords. These men came from warrior families and trained from a young age in military …

Feb 6, 2026 · 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 …

6 days ago · From medieval beginnings, the samurai have inspired art, fiction and films, from Shōgun to Star Wars. But their true story is more complex and surprising than we might realise.

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 …

May 9, 2025 · 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 …

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

Jul 27, 2024 · This article delves into the historical evolution of the samurai, their cultural significance, and the enduring impact they have on modern Japanese society and popular culture.

Samurai (侍 or, more rarely, 士) was a term for the military nobility in pre- industrial Japan who were active primarily between the tenth and nineteenth century. The word samurai is derived from the …

Oct 1, 2002 · Known as bushi or samurai, these warriors, who first appear in historical records of the tenth century, rose to power initially through their martial prowess—in particular, they were expert in …