Itinerant Samurai in Feudal Japan
2004 © Maxim Tabachnik
Battle of Uji Bridge ScreenSeated Statue of Senju KannonItinerant Samurai in Feudal JapanFudō Myōō Statue from Heian PeriodBattle of Dan-no-ura IllustrationJapanese Court Ceremony SceneSamurai Warriors in a Naval BattleTaira no Atsumori on HorsebackWashing Day Woodblock PrintHaniwa Terracotta Clay FigureMonks Caring for a HorseOonamuchi Depicted in Possessed Priestess

Itinerant Samurai in Feudal Japan

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This 1840s painting depicts rōnin, masterless samurai in feudal Japan. The term rōnin, meaning ’wave man,’ signifies their drifting life after losing their lords. Deprived of samurai privileges, many lived in poverty, some becoming mercenaries or bandits. Others adopted the life of Komusō , wandering monks who played the shakuhachi flute.