W hat comes to mind when you hear the word “ samurai ”? A brave swordsman in armor? A stoic warrior who lives and dies by honor? While popular culture often focuses on the sword-fighting aspect of samurai, the truth behind their origin, lifestyle, and beliefs is far deeper — and more fascinating. Let’s take a closer look at how samurai came to be, what Bushido really means, and what everyday life was like for these iconic Japanese warriors. H ow Were the Samurai Born? The samurai originated during Japan’s Heian period (794–1185), when aristocrats hired armed guards to protect their estates. These guards gradually became highly skilled in martial arts and warfare and later evolved into a class of professional warriors known as “samurai.” The term samurai comes from saburau (δΎγ), which means “to serve.” Samurai were not independent warriors — they were employed by nobles, generals, and eventually shoguns . Those without a master were known as ronin ....