samurai

The samurai (侍) were members of the professional warrior class in pre-industrial Japan, who served as retainers to the feudal lords. These men typically came from warrior families and trained from a young age in military arts through private instruction. Swordsmanship, archery, and horsemanship were the primary martial skills; and often in Japanese history, only samurai had the right to even possess these weapons. These weapons required years of training to master, and this commitment made the samurai superior to conscripts and militia, the latter who were typically given only a few days of training. The samurai also studied literature, calligraphy, and Confucian philosophy, befitting their roles as administrators under the shoguns. In 1853, the United States forced Japan to open its borde...