Samurai

The upper and middle strata of the warrior class, known as bushi, were the domain of the samurai, the elite warriors of feudal Japan. Contrary to common assumption, they were trained in sword fighting but preferred the bow (yumi) and the spear as their primary weapons on the battlefield (yari). Following their trade with the Portuguese, they also employed matchlock-style arcanes (tanegashima teppo). An ancient weapon was the arquebus.

Samurai were initially mounted fighters who, in later years, would also be used as foot soldiers. The lamellar armor used by the Japanese in the 7th century was the ancestor of the 'yoroi' or samurai armor. Yoroi were somewhat cumbersome to wear because the majority of the weight hung from the shoulders. But as firearms became more common in the 1500s, a new style of samurai armor known as "tosei gusoku" emerged. It was more maneuverable in combat thanks to its reduced weight and shortened waist.

During the Heian Period, people who would engage in combat were referred to as samurai. In other words, regardless of their social standing or place on the battlefield, there was always a great need for strong and skilled fighters. Anyone may become a samurai during that time.