Do Samurais still exist?

Although samurai no longer exist, the influence of these great warriors still manifests itself deeply in Japanese culture and samurai heritage can be seen all over Japan - be it a great castle, a carefully planned garden, or beautifully preserved samurai residences.
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Are there still samurai today?

The samurai warriors do not exist today. However, the cultural legacy of the samurai exists today. The descendants of the samurai families also exist today. It is illegal to carry swords and arms in Japan.
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When Was The Last Samurai alive?

Saigo Takamori of Japan is known as the Last Samurai, who lived from 1828 to 1877 and is remembered to this day as the epitome of bushido, the samurai code. Although much of his history has been lost, recent scholars have discovered clues to the true nature of this illustrious warrior and diplomat.
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Why did the samurai end?

The role of the samurai in peacetime declined gradually over this period, but two factors led to the end of samurai: the urbanization of Japan and the end of isolationism. As more and more Japanese moved to the cities, fewer farmers produced the rice needed to feed the growing population.
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Is samurai still a job?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Samurai (侍) were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the daimyo (the great feudal landholders).
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Are there any ninjas left?

Despite the years and inaccurate depictions, there are still real ninja clans and shinobi today. Most notably, Jinichi Kawakami who heads the Banke Shinobinoden ninjitsu school. Kawakami inherited the Koga clan's scrolls when he was 18, and is the honorary director of the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum.
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Can I become a samurai?

You may be interested in the courage of the ancient warriors or be interested in their tactics and weapons. Can I become a samurai if I am not Japanese? Yes, you can if you know the way of the sword and you have the courage and determination, you can become a samurai.
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How much is a true Samurai sword?

An authentic Samurai sword, hand made in Japan (called a Shinken 真剣), can easily cost US$12,000 to $25,000 and up. Chinese made production level approximations are typically at least $1,000-$2,500 for something reasonably 'traditional'.
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Can samurai be female?

Linguistic purists point out that the term "samurai" is a masculine word; thus, there is no "female samurai." Nonetheless, for thousands of years, certain upper-class Japanese women have learned martial skills and participated in battles right alongside the male samurai.
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Is Last samurai true?

Cruise's character in The Last Samurai isn't based on a true story of an American soldier, but is inspired by the real history of a French Army officer named Jules Brunet. In 1866, Brunet was sent to Japan to train military forces and ultimately fought in the Boshin War after refusing orders to return home.
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Is 47 Ronin a true story?

The film is based on an actual historical event during the Edo Period known as “Chushingura.” It involved a lord who was wrongfully put to death and his followers — ronin — who sought revenge. Rinsch said he took on the film subject and sat down with Keanu Reeves about two years ago.
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Are Ninjas samurai?

One of the major differences between the samurai and the ninja is who they exactly are. Samurais were warriors that belonged to the noble classes of ancient Japanese society. On the other hand, ninjas were often mercenaries, and as such they would often belong to the lower classes of ancient Japanese society.
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Who is the last ninja on earth?

Photo: Seth W. Jinichi Kawakami, a 63-year old engineer, is probably Japan's last true-blue ninja. He's the head of the Ban clan, a family that traces its ninja roots back 500 years. For the past 10 years, Kawakami shared his skills through ninjutsu classes, or the art of the ninja.
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Do samurai use guns?

During it, guns were still manufactured and used by the samurai, but primarily for hunting. It was also a time when the samurai focused more on traditional Japanese arts, with more attention being given to katanas than muskets.
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Was there real ninjas?

If you're a fan of ninjas, you'll be pleased to know that ninjas were indeed real. However, the real ninjas of the past were probably nothing like today's version. In fact, they weren't even called ninjas! The ninjas of ancient Japan were called shinobis.
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Where are the 47 ronin buried?

Sengakuji (泉岳寺) is a small temple near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. The temple is famous for its graveyard where the "47 Ronin" (also known as Akoroshi, the "masterless samurai from Ako") are buried.
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Can a samurai marry?

Most samurai married women from a samurai family, but lower-ranked samurai were permitted to marry commoners. In these marriages a dowry was brought by the woman and was used to start the couple's new life together. A samurai could have a mistress, but her background was strictly reviewed by higher-ranked samurai.
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What did samurai do for fun?

In the 250 years of peace that followed, the elite samurai class no longer waged battles, turning instead to cultural pursuits and leisurely pastimes. Hawking and falconry were popular activities, as were plant cultivation and the art of flower arrangement.
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What is the rarest katana?

Walter Ames Compton sold 1100 swords from his collection for a total of $8 million in just one day. The most precious one was a Kamakura from the 13th century which he sold to an anonymous collector for the impressive sum of $418,000, making it the most expensive katana ever sold.
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Is it illegal to have a samurai sword?

Samurai Myth No.

Owning a katana is illegal for the ordinary Japanese citizen. Fact: Ordinary citizens in Japan have the right to own Japanese-made blades that are registered with the Nihon Token Kai (Japanese Sword Association). These swords must exhibit historical or cultural significance.
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What language did samurai speak?

The Japanese language has a word for this “samurai language” called monofu-go.
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What is a ronin Japan?

In feudal Japan, a ronin was a warrior, a samurai without a master, who travelled the country offering his service to anyone in need of a sword to hire.
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What were samurai not allowed to do?

From 1591, samurai were no longer permitted to be both farmers and warriors and had to choose one living or the other, the idea being this would make them more dependent and so more loyal to their masters.
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