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On'yomi
ジ・シ
JI / SHI
Kun'yomi
さむらい・はべ.る
samurai / haberu

waiter · samurai · wait upon · serve

powerfulwisdom

Details

Strokes8
Frequency#1939
Radicalperson(2)

Description

Samurai - the legendary warrior class of feudal Japan, embodying honor and discipline.

Stroke Order

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Strokes8

Component Breakdown

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Person + temple

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of person and temple. One who serves a lord at temple.

Symbolism

Samurai, loyalty, honor. Represents Japanese bushido spirit and devotion.

Spiritual Meaning

Embodies bushido spirit with high spiritual standards of loyalty, honor, and self-sacrifice.

Anime & Manga

サムライチャンプルー

さむらいちゃんぷるー

Samurai Champloo(2004)

anime

Innovative action blending Edo-period samurai with hip-hop culture

View on Amazon →

るろうに剣心

るろうにけんしん

Rurouni Kenshin(2023)

manga/anime

Story of a wandering swordsman in Meiji era. 2023 remake aired

View on Amazon →

鬼滅の刃

きめつのやいば

Demon Slayer(2019)

manga/anime

Swordsman battles demons in Taisho era. Inherits samurai spirit

View on Amazon →

Games

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice(2019)

PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC

Play as a shinobi in Sengoku era. Epic samurai battles

View on Amazon →

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima(2020)

PS4/PS5/PC

Open world game about a samurai defending Tsushima from Mongol invasion

View on Amazon →

Rise of the Ronin

Rise of the Ronin(2024)

PS5

Latest open-world RPG featuring ronin in Bakumatsu era

View on Amazon →

Words & Expressions

Proverbs & Idioms

武士に二言はない

ぶしににごんはない

A samurai never goes back on his word

Once a samurai makes a promise, he keeps it without fail

侍は食わねど高楊枝

さむらいはくわねどたかようじ

A samurai uses a toothpick even when he hasn't eaten

A samurai maintains dignity even in poverty

Related Figures

宮本武蔵

(みやもとむさし)
Miyamoto Musashi1584-1645

Legendary swordsman who founded Niten Ichi-ryu

Swordsman said to be undefeated. Author of 'The Book of Five Rings'