Origins of the Samurai
The word “samurai” comes from the Japanese verb saburau, meaning “to serve.” Samurai were originally attendants and military retainers who served powerful aristocrats during the Heian period (794–1185). During this era, the imperial court in Kyoto was the center of political power, but the real control over provincial lands gradually shifted to local military leaders and clans.
The rise of the samurai as a distinct warrior class began around the late Heian period, as Japan saw increasing regional conflicts and lawlessness. Powerful families such as the Taira and Minamoto clans gained military prominence by raising armies of skilled warriors to protect their interests and expand their territories.
The Kamakura Shogunate and the Establishment of Samurai Power
The Genpei War (1180–1185) between the Taira and Minamoto clans was a pivotal moment in samurai history. The Minamoto victory led to the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1192, marking the beginning of the shogunate system—a military government led by a shogun, or military dictator.
The Kamakura shogunate institutionalized the samurai’s role as the ruling military elite. Samurai became landholding warriors who pledged loyalty to their lords (daimyō), who in turn owed allegiance to the shogun. This feudal hierarchy defined Japanese society for centuries. Samurai were expected not only to fight but also to govern and administer their domains. shutdown123