Samurai - Japanese warrior
The samurai was a warrior and aristocratic class in Japan that existed from the 12th century to the 19th century. Samurai were known for their loyalty, honesty, and fighting prowess, and were considered the top of the social hierarchy. Samurai served as soldiers and protectors of their daimyo (feudal lords) and the emperor.
Samurai were armed with various types of weapons such as swords, bows and spears, and had special training in martial arts such as kendo and iaido. The most famous weapons of the samurai include the katana (Japanese sword), the wakizashi (short sword) and the tanto (dagger).
In addition to their fighting skills, samurai also had their own manners and etiquette. These included seppuku, a ritual suicide that samurai could perform when they failed in their duties or lost their honor. Samurai also followed the Bushido code, which was a set of moral principles that emphasized honor, loyalty, and courage.
After 1868, the samurai class became obsolete and was abolished as part of the modernization reforms that ushered in a new era in Japan.