Who Could Become a Samurai?

The samurai are one of the most iconic symbols of traditional Japanese culture. From TV series like Shogun (2024) to games like Ghost of Tsushima (2020) and films like The Last Samurai (2003), these warriors have fascinated people worldwide. But who could become a samurai in history?

The term samurai, meaning “those who serve,” referred to warriors who supported powerful local landlords. Their influence grew when the imperial court expanded its territory and the samurai status group peaked when the imperial court declined, leading to the formation of military government (the shogunate or bakufu).

So, who could become a samurai? The answer varies by era. Before and during the Sengoku period (“The Warring States period,” 1467–1603), one needed military strength, regional power, or to be born into a samurai family. During the late 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered the Separation of Warriors and Peasants, preventing social mobility. The “Sword Hunt” policy also prohibited peasants and monks from owning the special pair of swords that marked a samurai. By the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868), the samurai rank was nearly solidified, and most samurai were born into the role.

Could a foreigner become a samurai? Yes, there are records of foreign samurai. Englishman William Adams and Dutchman Jan Joosten were advisors to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), and they were permitted to wear samurai swords. Yasuke, an East African who served the daimyo Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582), remains a mysterious figure. Brought to Japan by an Italian Jesuit missionary, Yasuke served Nobunaga until the daimyo’s death. Today, most scholars consider him a foreign samurai, as he received a stipend and swords from Nobunaga as a recognition of his status.

Despite their high social rank, samurai had diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. While high-ranked samurai enjoyed luxuries like tea gatherings and poetry, lower-ranked samurai worked in offices or lived in shared apartments with communal facilities. These shared apartments, known as nagaya or “longhouses,” had communal wells, toilets, and waste facilities, reflecting the varied living standards among samurai.

The socioeconomic diversity within the samurai status group is often overlooked. Not all samurai were wealthy or lived luxurious lives. Many lower-ranked samurai had to work hard to maintain their status and fulfill their duties. This diversity challenges the common perception of samurai as uniformly wealthy and powerful.

The path to becoming a samurai was complex and varied depending on the era and individual circumstances. While some were born into the role, others could rise through military strength or regional power. Foreigners, though rare, could also become samurai under certain conditions. The samurai were not a monolithic group but rather a diverse and dynamic part of Japanese history.

Visit the NCMA’s exhibition Samurai: The Making of a Warrior now through February 2, 2025.