Samurai were an elite class of Japanese warriors who performed military service for nobles. They were well-trained and highly skilled at riding horses and using the bow and sword. They wore particular armour and followed a code of honour known as bushido.

Did samurai fight to the death?

Many samurai, especially the highest levels of the class, fought to the death. If they were in danger of being captured they often killed themselves. The honourable method was seppuku (aka hara-kiri) or self-disembowelment.

What is ronin in Japan?

Ronin, meaning 'wanderer' or 'masterless warrior', was a term applied to samurai who could not find regular military service. Ronin were particularly prevalent during the shogunates when Japan was more peaceful and warriors were no longer required as they had been before.

Do samurai still exist?

Samurai do not exist today, this class of Japanese warriors was formally abolished in 1876.

Timeline: Samurai

Definition

The samurai (also bushi) were a class of warriors that arose in the 10th century in Japan and which performed military service until the 19th century. 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.

More about: Samurai

Timeline

800 - 1876
Samurai active in Japanese warfare.
1159 - 1189
Life of the legendary samurai Yoshitsune
c. 1580
It becomes fashionable for Japanese samurai to wear two swords: the daisho ("great and small").
1588
Toyotomi Hideyoshi rules that only full-rank samurai may carry two swords.
1591
Samurai are no longer permitted to farm their own land making them dependent on their lords for income.

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