Details
Description
Samurai - the legendary warrior class of feudal Japan, embodying honor and discipline.
Stroke Order
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.
Component Breakdown
Person + temple
Words & Expressions
Words written with 侍
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
Anime & Manga
サムライチャンプルー
Samurai Champloo
Innovative action blending Edo-period samurai with hip-hop culture
るろうに剣心
Rurouni Kenshin
Story of a wandering swordsman in Meiji era. 2023 remake aired
鬼滅の刃
Demon Slayer
Swordsman battles demons in Taisho era. Inherits samurai spirit
竹光侍
Takemitsu Zamurai
A well-known work with 侍 in its Japanese title.
Games
SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice(2019)
Play as a shinobi in Sengoku era. Epic samurai battles
View on Amazon →Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima(2020)
Open world game about a samurai defending Tsushima from Mongol invasion
View on Amazon →Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin(2024)
Latest open-world RPG featuring ronin in Bakumatsu era
View on Amazon →Related Figures & Stories
宮本武蔵
(みやもとむさし)Legendary swordsman who founded Niten Ichi-ryu
Swordsman said to be undefeated. Author of 'The Book of Five Rings'
周防内侍
Name contains 侍
Suō no Naishi was a Japanese waka poet of the late-Heian period.
Wikipedia小式部内侍
Name contains 侍
Koshikibu no Naishi was a Japanese waka poet of the early eleventh century.
Wikipedia馬内侍
Name contains 侍
Uma no Naishi was a Japanese waka poet and noble from the middle Heian period.
Wikipedia尚侍家中納言
Name contains 侍
Fujiwara no Chikako was a waka poet and Japanese noblewoman active in the Kamakura period.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 侍 mean in Japanese?
侍 means samurai, serve, attend upon. Samurai - the legendary warrior class of feudal Japan, embodying honor and discipline.
How do you read 侍?
On'yomi: ジ、シ (JI, SHI). Kun'yomi: さむらい、はべ.る (samurai, haberu).
How many strokes does 侍 have?
侍 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 人 (person).
Is 侍 a good kanji for a tattoo?
侍 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means samurai, serve, attend upon. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.