The word "samurai" was colloquial and its meaning varied over the centuries. The word "samurai" is thought to come from the word "saburau" and means "one who serves [their lord]", and therefore the …

6 days ago · 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.

18 hours 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.

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 …

Jul 11, 2025 · The samurai warrior caste dominated Japan from the Kamakura to the Edo period. Over those centuries, they developed in ways that shaped Japanese history.

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 …

Jul 24, 2019 · Samurai were a class of highly skilled warriors that arose in Japan after the Taika reforms of A.D. 646, which included land redistribution and heavy new taxes meant to support an elaborate …

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.

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 …