The world Book Encyclopedia       S-Sn   17
1983 Edition  
Page 77  Marius B. Jansen
Samurai

Samurai, was the hereditary warrior class in feudal Japan.  The term originally referred only 
to theimperial guards.  After the coming of a feudal system, it meant the entire military class. 
This included the samurai warriors, feudal lords called daimyos, or daimios, and the shogun. 
About 5 of every 100 Japanese belonged to this group.
     A code of unquestioning obedience and loyalty, called Bushido , bound the samurai warriors 
to their lords.  The samurai prized honor above wealth or life, and atoned for dishonor by
committing Hara-Kiri, or ceremonial suicide.  They wore two swords and a sistinctive headdress.
The samurai were graded in military ranks, each with an appropriate income in rice.  They lost 
their privileges whn the Japanese abolished Feudalism in 1871.