samurai

Everyday

1. A member of the warrior class in old Japan who served a lord and fought with swords and bows. tree →
2. The samurai as a class of people in Japanese history. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons the samurai lived in Japan from about the 12th century until the 1870s, when their class was ended. They followed a code of honour, later called bushido, valuing loyalty and courage. In films, games and stories they are famous sword fighters. Phrases: «samurai sword», «samurai warrior», «samurai armour».

Examples

• The samurai wore armour made of small plates laced together. tree →
• A samurai had to be loyal to his lord. tree →
• Samurai swords are called katana. tree →
• The museum has a samurai helmet with horns. tree →
• Samurai also studied poetry and tea ceremony. tree →
• Japan ended the samurai class in the 1870s. tree →
• I am to go with the general and one day I shall be a SAMURAI!” tree →

Note

Plural is usually «samurai», though «samurais» is sometimes seen. Myth: not all samurai were men only with swords; bows were their first weapon, and a few women warriors fought too. Pronounced «SAM-oo-rye».