The Decline of the Samurai Class The decline of the samurai class was a gradual and multifaceted process that took shape over several centuries in Japan. While the formal dismantling of samurai privilege occurred during the late nineteenth century, the forces that weakened their social and political dominance had been […]

Understanding the Role of Ronins as Hired Mercenaries The term ronin originally referred to samurai warriors in Japan who had become masterless due to their lord’s death, political dispossession, or loss of patronage. In a feudal system structured around loyalty and hierarchical obligation, the bond between a samurai and his […]

The Historical Context of “Wave Man” (浪人) The term ronin (浪人), often translated as “Wave Man,” originates from Japan’s feudal past and reflects the social and political structures that defined that era. The word combines ro (浪), meaning “wave,” and nin (人), meaning “person.” The imagery suggests a person drifting […]