Samurai
Feudal Japanese fighter
Samurai were the warrior class of feudal Japan, serving lords as military retainers from roughly the 12th through 19th centuries.
They followed bushido, a code emphasizing loyalty, discipline, and honor—sometimes to the point of ritual suicide rather than disgrace.
In modern use, samurai evokes images of sword-wielding martial expertise and stoic discipline.
The last samurai resisted Japan's modernization.
The word now appears in contexts suggesting elite warrior status or unwavering dedication to a craft.
Samurai honor system
- roninFeudal drifter-warrior
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
- armorProtective combat covering
- seppukuRitualized Japanese self-disembowelment
blade · swordsmanship · combat · warrior · helmet · wakizashi · tanto · kendo
High regard, moral dignity
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- dutyRequired moral task
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- courageFortitude facing danger
rectitude · benevolence · respect · honesty · self-control · stoicism · sacrifice · shame
Legendary Japanese film director
- MusashiFamed Japanese sword master
- ukiyo-eJapanese woodblock print tradition
- kabukiRitualistic performance for show
- haikuJapanese seventeen-syllable verse
Miyamoto · tea ceremony · calligraphy · ikebana · noh · woodblock · folklore · legend
Of tiered landownership
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- classGrouping by shared traits
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- TokugawaRuling samurai dynasty, 1600s-1800s
clan · lineage · estate · privilege · status · hereditary · rank · domain
Commercial enterprise operator
- salarymanJapanese corporate employee
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- workhorseReliable, tireless producer
- corporateOf or relating to companies
metaphor · spirit · ethos · discipline · commitment · perseverance · Japanese · tradition
bushido
Samurai honor system
seppuku · blade · swordsmanship · combat · warrior · helmet · wakizashi · tanto · kendo · iaido
honor
High regard, moral dignity
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- dutyRequired moral task
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
courage · rectitude · benevolence · respect · honesty · self-control · stoicism · sacrifice · shame · death
Kurosawa
Legendary Japanese film director
- MusashiFamed Japanese sword master
- ukiyo-eJapanese woodblock print tradition
- kabukiRitualistic performance for show
Miyamoto · haiku · tea ceremony · calligraphy · ikebana · noh · woodblock · folklore · legend · manga
feudal
Of tiered landownership
Tokugawa · clan · lineage · estate · privilege · status · hereditary · rank · domain · fief
businessman
Commercial enterprise operator
- salarymanJapanese corporate employee
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- workhorseReliable, tireless producer
corporate · metaphor · spirit · ethos · discipline · commitment · perseverance · Japanese · tradition · heritage
- Power RangersMegazord, Jason, Kimberly, Rangers, Turbo
- suzukiSwift, Hayabusa, Reno
- Historical GroupsFreemasons, Illuminati, Jesuits, Knights Templar, Bolsheviks
- military rolessoldier, warrior, Praetorian Guard, sailor, Imperial Guard
- SNLSaturday Night Live, Weekend Update, cold open, sketch comedy, cue cards
- Elite Unitsspecial forces, commandos, Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Green Berets
- samurai swordJapanese warrior's curved blade
- samurai armorJapanese warrior's protective suit
- samurai codeFeudal warrior ethics
- samurai cultureFeudal Japanese warrior tradition
- samurai spiritFeudal Japanese warrior ethos
- samurai filmJapanese swordsman movie genre