True Bushido Code | Bushi Warrior Rank

Bushi - Warrior born into a clan with an honorable warrior tradition

Shogun - Rich and powerful lord - He answers only to the Emperor

Daimyo - Feudal Lord - The Samurai would swear their allegiance to him

Samurai - Particular class of warrior family which defended the Daimyos. These warriors were highly trained in the military arts. Over time Samurai became synonymous with Bushi (warriors).

Ronin - Bushi or Samurai who were under no obligation or loyalty to a particular lord, or a Samurai whose lord was deceased, or worse, whose lord had been banished and his property confiscated. Actually Ronin functioned as "hired swords" and their very existence went against the philosophy and principles of the Bushido Code.

Ninja - Warriors of a lower rank. Not from families of established warrior status. The Ninja served various lords -- usually as guerilla fighters, assassins or spies.

Bushi vs. Samurai: What's the Difference?

The title of "Bushi" was assigned to warriors born to established military clans of Japan. These were families of considerable wealth and a respected fighting tradition. These families would support the warriors and provide them with weapons and training.


The Bushi were ranked accordint to a scale which took into account

1. The family's standing



2. The fighter's ability



3. The warrior's military accomplishments

Rank also pertained to the Bushi's relation to the Shogun, the top Bushi. Samurai were simply Bushi of a high class and rank.