Samurai 侍

"samurai", also known as "Bushi" or "Mononofu" are one of the most recognizable parts of the traditional Japanese culture. This class of society was hghly regarded in the Japanese social hierachy and carried with it a great deal of power and and at the same time obligations and duties.

The Bushi built their lives on the concept of "Bushidou" which translates into the way of the warrior. Yes, samurai are warriors in essnce but were also patrons of the arts and were usually higly competent in skills other that those required to fight for their feudal lords. They can be likened to knights of European culture, but are somehow different.

I would advise reading Kodansha's Bilingual book "Bushidou" byNitobe Inazou a Japanese educator and once the deputy secretary general League of Nations. This book is intersting in the fact that the book was written by Nitobe san in English. His writing is exquisite and beautiful.