Few historical warrior classes evoke the same sort of fascination as the samurai in popular culture. Samurai came to prominence in feudal Japan, notably in the Sengoku period, where figures like ...

The Japanese sword, often epitomized by the katana, is more than just a weapon. It is a symbol of Japan’s rich cultural history, craftsmanship, and the ideals of the samurai who wielded it. Known for ...

Though their meticulously crafted battle armor and elaborate helmets shaped into utterly frightening countenances could fill the hearts of any foe with terror, Japan's famous samurai warriors also had ...

HBO's Song of the Samurai tells a fictionalized version of the story surrounding the legendary Shinsengumi, a secret ...

Two of the stars of Japanese history are samurai and ninja, and the Samurai and Ninja Museum in Tokyo gives guests the opportunity to learn about, and even experience, different aspects of the two ...

Miyamoto Musashi’s duels made him a legend. His writings made him immortal. Here’s what history can (and can't) confirm about the man behind the myth. In this 1840s print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, ...

Nathan Algren survives Katsumoto’s final battle in The Last Samurai and helps Emperor Meiji understand what the samurai died ...