Posted by What is a Samurai and what is a Bushi?
I wrote this a while back regarding Yasuke, but it applies to anyone—including the Japanese—who was not a samurai by birth but achieved the status through service to a lord. The meaning of “samurai” evolved significantly over the centuries; by the Meiji period, the term meant something very different than it did during the Heian period, 1,000 years earlier. By the Sengoku period, being a samurai was largely hereditary—you were born into the class. While there were exceptions, such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, these instances were incredibly rare.
Due to the shifting nature of the words bushi and samurai, a “grey zone” has developed in our understanding, especially in recent years. Modern cultural shifts and pop culture heavily influence these perceptions. Yasuke’s appointment as a samurai (or hatamoto) fits perfectly into this grey zone of how we perceive the rank. Furthermore, people often fail to consider how historical events were received in their own time. They may not realize that a modern word or term has evolved into something slightly different from its original meaning. The Japanese language, in particular, has changed drastically, even over the last 100 years.
The Etymology of the Warrior
To understand this, we must look at the etymology of samurai and bushi. The character 武 (bu) in the word 武士 (bushi) refers to a person who fights with a weapon, while the character 士 (shi) means a man or gentleman. Together, bushi literally refers to a “warrior.”
On the other hand, the word 侍 (samurai)—which was also used to refer to men who made their living through military force—is derived from the word saburau, meaning “to wait upon” or “to serve” a person of high rank. It is thought to have originated from the prefix moru, meaning “to watch over” or “to guard.” As the etymology suggests, a samurai was a member of the warrior class who specifically served the nobility, such as the aristocracy or the Imperial Family.
In other words, samurai were a higher class of warrior than ronin, ashigaru, or general bushi who lacked a specific master. While ronin are often portrayed in myth as “poor, masterless samurai,” the term simply meant a samurai who was not currently in the service of a lord.
The Rise of the Bushi
The origins of the bushi can be traced back to the Nara period under Emperor Shomu. The Imperial Court sent administrators to local landholders to control taxes and consolidate imperial influence in regional areas. By the Heian period, these local landowners held significant power. However, conflicts frequently broke out as they competed for land, trade routes, and wealth.
To manage these conflicts, local lords began recruiting and arming farmers with bows and swords. After receiving basic training, these men were expected to protect their lord’s lands. The lord could call these farmers to battle at any time, and they were duty-bound to obey. This is the origin of the bushi, which is quite distinct from the origins of the samurai.
The Evolution of Service
As mentioned, the kanji for “samurai” means “to serve.” From the mid-Heian period onward, samurai served the Imperial Court and the nobility, providing personal protection or being dispatched to the provinces to quell rebellions.
However, the term samurai did not originally refer only to warriors. As seen in the word 侍女 (jijo—lady-in-waiting), the character for samurai simply meant “servant.” This included government officials who served closely with the nobility, acting as cooks, assistants, and caretakers.
Over time, this definition shifted. The most significant change occurred during the Sengoku period, when the “samurai” became a complex class system with multiple ranks. If a farmer showed exceptional courage in battle, he could be promoted to the lowest rank of samurai. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the most famous example of this; he rose from a simple sandal-bearer for Oda Nobunaga to become the de facto ruler of Japan, though such a meteoric rise was exceptionally rare.
By the start of the Edo period, the term samurai was used broadly for warriors of hatamoto rank or higher—those who had direct access to the Shogun.
Why the Confusion Today?
Why is it that despite these crucial historical differences, the terms are used interchangeably today? The reason lies in the Edo period (1603–1868). During this long era of peace, most samurai transitioned from being battlefield warriors to serving as administrators and public servants for the Shogunate and various feudal lords. As a result, the boundary between bushi (the warrior) and samurai (the servant/official) became blurred, leading to the interchangeable usage we see in modern times.
Yasuke and the Hatamoto Rank
In the late 16th century, the term Hatamoto (literally “under the flag”) referred to high-ranking warriors who served directly under a daimyo (lord). They were the lord’s inner circle, acting as his personal guard and trusted officials.
The Physical Markers of Status
According to historical records like the Shincho Koki (The Chronicles of Lord Nobunaga), Nobunaga did three specific things for Yasuke that clearly signaled his elevation to the samurai class:
- The Granting of a Stipend: Nobunaga provided Yasuke with a formal salary. In a feudal society, being on the “payroll” of a lord was the primary distinction between a commoner and a professional warrior.
- The Private Residence: Yasuke was given his own house within or near Nobunaga’s castle grounds.
- The Short Sword (Koshigatana 腰刀 ): Perhaps most importantly, he was presented with a ceremonial short sword. This was a symbolic induction; only those of samurai status were permitted to carry the tools of the warrior class in formal service.
2. The Role of a “Page” or Guard
Yasuke often served as a kosho (a page or personal attendant). While “page” sounds like a lowly position in English, in Japanese history, the kosho were high-status young men from good families who were being groomed for leadership. They protected the lord’s person and handled his most private affairs. By placing Yasuke in this role, Nobunaga was placing him in a position of extreme trust—a rank well above that of a standard foot soldier (ashigaru).
3. Why the “Grey Zone” Exists
The debate around Yasuke often stems from the fact that he was only in Japan for a short time before Nobunaga’s death at Honno-ji.
- Lack of a Last Name: Traditionally, samurai held a family name (surname). There is no record of Yasuke being granted one, which leads some to argue his status was “honorary.”
- The Meritocracy of Nobunaga: Oda Nobunaga was famous for ignoring tradition. He valued talent and strength over lineage. To Nobunaga, if a man was strong, loyal, and served him directly, he was a samurai.
Although, Yasuke’s story is a perfect example of how the definition of “samurai” was more about service and proximity to power than it was about a specific bloodline, at least until the Edo period locked those classes in place.
Written and researched by Stuart Iles B.A History/Archaeology.
Yasuke sources in Japanese from the archives.
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1920322/162
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1041119/101
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1041119/127
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/772514/54
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1041119/164
My notes edited with Gemini AI
AI generated image which indecently cannot differentiate between bushi or samurai.
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