The samurai were the warrior class in Japan and has its origins in the Kondei (meaning "stalwart youth")
system which was established in 792 AD. This built up a force of well trained officers, taking its recruits
from the upper class families. This gradually evolved into a rigid class structure with the samurai at the
top.
The samurai typcally were armoured, mounted and used the bow and the sword.
It became traditional for the samurai to wear two swords: The longsword (katana), which was only worn
outside, and a shortsword (tanto) which was worn at all times.
A samurai without attachment to a clan was called a ronin.
Books about Samurai
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