Japanese Symbol for
侍samurai
samurai · warrior · retainer
Readings
Meaning
Samurai, warrior, retainer. The original meaning of 侍 (samurai) was simply "one who serves" — from the verb 侍る (haberiru, to serve a nobleman). The warrior connotation came later as the serving class became Japan's military elite.
Example words
武士道
bushidō
the way of the warrior
切腹
seppuku
ritual suicide (samurai honor)
刀
katana
samurai sword
武家
buke
samurai family, warrior household
浪人
rōnin
masterless samurai
甲冑
katchū
armor and helmet
浪人 (rōnin — "wave person") was a samurai without a master — free-floating like waves. The Forty-Seven Rōnin (四十七士) who avenged their lord's death in 1703 became one of Japan's most celebrated stories of loyalty and sacrifice. Today, 浪人 also refers to students who failed university entrance exams and are retaking them.
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