By the end of the 12th century, samurai became synonymous with bushi (武士) almost entirely and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of written rules called the Bushidō . Samurai teachings can still be found today in modern day society with the martial art Kendo, meaning the way of the sword.

History

The Taihō Code classified imperial bureaucrats into 12 ranks, each divided into two sub-ranks, 1st rank being the highest adviser to the emperor. Those of 6th rank and below were referred to as "samurai" and dealt with day-to-day affairs. Although these "samurai" were civilian public servants, the name is believed to have derived from this term. Military men, however, would not be referred to as "samurai" for many more centuries.Fact: date=June 2007

In the early Heian period, the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Emperor Kammu sought to consolidate and expand his rule in northern Honshū, but the armies he sent to conquer the rebellious Emishi people lacked motivation and discipline, and failed in their task.Fact: date=June 2007 Emperor Kammu introduced the title of Seiitaishogun (lang: 征夷大将軍) or shogun, and began to rely on the powerful regional clans to conquer the Emishi. Skilled in mounted combat and archery (kyūdō), these clan warriors became the emperor's preferred tool for putting down rebellions.Fact: date=June 2007 Although these warriors may have been educated, at this time (7th to 9th century) the imperial court officials considered them to be little more than barbarians.Fact: date=June 2007

Ultimately, Emperor Kammu disbanded his army, and from this time, the emperor's power gradually declined. While the emperor was still the ruler, powerful clans around Kyoto (lang: 京都) assumed positions as ministers, and their relatives bought positions as magistrates.Fact: date=June 2007 To amass wealth and repay their debts, magistrates often imposed heavy taxes, resulting in many farmers becoming landless.Fact: date=June 2007

Some clans were originally formed by farmers who had taken up arms to protect themselves from the imperial magistrates sent to govern their lands and collect taxes.Fact: date=June 2007 These clans formed alliances to protect themselves against more powerful clans, and by the mid-Heian period they had adopted characteristic Japanese armour and weapons, and laid the foundations of Bushido, their ethical code.Fact: date=June 2007