Japanese Symbol for
武士bushi
warrior · samurai · soldier
Readings
Meaning
Warrior, samurai, soldier. 武士 (bushi) is the classical term for Japan's warrior class. 侍 (samurai) is the more internationally known term. 戦士 (senshi) means warrior or soldier in a broader sense.
Example words
侍
samurai
samurai warrior
武士道
bushidō
the way of the warrior
武道
budō
martial arts (warrior's way)
剣士
kenshi
swordsman
武者
musha
armed warrior
勇者
yūsha
hero, brave warrior
武 (bu) is the kanji of martial power — it appears in 武道 (budō — martial arts), 武器 (buki — weapons), and 武将 (bushō — military commander). The character is traditionally analyzed as depicting a halberd being stopped — suggesting that true martial virtue lies in stopping conflict rather than starting it.
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